Calls to compensate a non-profit group are set to go in front of Eastbourne councillors next week.
On Wednesday (February 28), Eastbourne Borough Council is set to consider a petition calling on the authority to provide around £75,000 of compensation to Defiant Sports, a community interest company which promotes sports inclusivity.
The group has said it was working to lease part of the Fort Fun site in Royal Parade from the council. They said this offer was withdrawn in December, however, after the council opted to offer the full site to Wingrove House, a leisure and hospitality business.
Defiant Sports said it had already undertaken work to clear its part of the site, removing waste and external structures and dismantling equipment. They say this work was worth around £75,000.
The petition says the council’s decision has left the group facing ‘financial difficulties’ and argues the council should compensate it for the work already undertaken.
The petition reads: “Having focussed so much time and energy on this project — which it now appears the council had absolutely no intention of letting them realise — the group find themselves in financial difficulties and having to drastically reduce the services it offers.
“This abysmal near destruction of a small worthy community group that provides such a unique and necessary service to many local families, individuals and communities is reprehensible.
“The council need to be held to account for the total mismanagement of this process, reparation needs to be made to Defiant Sports and an alternative venue urgently found for them.”
The council says it is already working with Defiant Sports to find the group a ‘permanant home’
In a statement issued ahead of the meeting, a council spokesman said: “Councillor Stephen Holt, Leader of Eastbourne Borough Council and Loretta Lock from Defiant Sports, issued a joint statement on January 19 explaining that the council would try and find them a permanent home.
“Our officers have worked exceptionally hard to achieve this in liaison with Loretta and we are hopeful of making an announcement very soon.
“We are pleased, and believe Defiant Sports are too, that we have made this progress in a relatively short period of time.”
The petition — signed by 1,983 at time of its publication as part of the meeting’s agenda — also calls for a public meeting where those involved in the decision can explain the council’s rationale.
The petition says the meeting should also be an opportunity for the council to make clear the site’s possible connection to the Eden Project.
According to the petition, Cllr Robert Smart, leader of the council’s Conservative opposition group, has told seafront groups the site is being considered as a potential location for the eco-attraction. The petition calls for this connection to be made clear and what impact it may have had on the council’s decision-making.
The Eden Project’s connection to Eastbourne Borough Council was first announced in 2020, when the parties involved revealed they were holding ‘exploratory talks’.
