Not enough time for Next Wave responses resident claims

Anthony Hamilton, who lives at South Cliff, believes RIBA and Rother District Council should have extended the 10th November deadline in order to give more of Bexhill's less computer savvy elderly residents the opportunity to respond.

Mr Hamilton said:

"The RDC Helpoint in Amhurst Road only provides computer access for anybody who wishes to see what the shelter schemes are about, but on line.

"At the same time the public had access to a response form and how to send it either electronically, or by post - to Leeds! But, many of the inhabitants do not have a computer and wouldn't know what to do with them if they had."

RIBA (Royal Institute of British Architects) organised the competition -seeking designs for a series of seafront structures at Bexhill - in conjunction with Rother District Council.

The deadline for the designs, comprising of 4 seafront shelters and a kiosk, with a total construction value of 220,000, was 12th August 2009.

Residents were invited to view the architects designs at Bexhill museum on 3rd October, at which time they also had the opportunity to complete a response form and put forward their views.

The deadline for the submission of these forms was November 10th which Mr Hamilton says was much too soon.

"This is a town with sixty five percent of the population aged over sixty five. The council produced a 'bums rush' for responses by 10th November, and all the residents I've spoken to seemed upset that it was all done so quickly.

"Couple this with the chaos at the exhibition held in the museum some weeks back when people couldn't get in '“ and then only in to an unsuitably small space '“ with many just walking away after queuing for a long time.

"Many of us are of the same mind, that an extension to say mid-December should have been allowed so that proper account could be taken of the naturally slow response of the townsfolk."

In response Rother District Council director of resources Malcolm Johnston said:

"We can confirm that there are no plans to extend the deadline, we would encourage residents to visit the website or if they are having difficulties to visit the help points where staff would be happy to help. The winners will be announced in December."

For more information visit the website at: www.next-wave.org.uk