Anger over demolition plan

KNOCKING down an historic terraced house would make a mockery of conservation laws, a Seaford Town Council member has warned.

A bid has been made to demolish rundown 52 High Street and replace it with a modern replica of its original design.

At a town council planning meeting on Thursday last week councillors debated over what was best for the area.

Cllr Gilly Cowdrey said exceptions should not be made when the town's heritage was at stake. She said: 'If every conservation area in the country was treated like this it would make a mockery of conservation areas.'

Cllr Julian Peterson agreed. 'Too many towns have had historic buildings pulled down to the detriment of the towns.'

A plan to knock down an historic building in Lewes would be never be considered, so why was it the case in Seaford, asked Cllr Eddie Collict? He said: 'If it were in Lewes there would not be any question that it would be preserved.'

But Cllr Roger Frost saw no merit in keeping the building which he said had been, 'jerry-built at the turn of the century'. He proposed the demolition should go ahead on the condition it was rebuilt to its original design.

Cllr David Schueler was concerned the building would remain in its present ramshackle state if the bid was not given the go-ahead. He said: 'There is a grave danger it will be left as it is at the present moment.'

The majority of councillors agreed and recommended Lewes District Council give permission for it to be knocked down and replaced with a house modelled on others in the terrace.