As previously noted, Beeding Bridge is to be closed for repairs for five weeks, January 20th to February 23rd. The Sussex Bus Company will be running a shuttle (Upper Beeding — Steyning — Bramber) during the closure. You can download a copy of the timetable here.
A23 slip road closures
Idyllic spot for care home
The Argus reports:
Thornton Properties wants to demolish Court Farm House in Devil’s Dyke Road, Hove, and replace it with a 58-bedroom care home and five detached properties. The land, which is near the junction of the A27 and the South Downs National Park, is part of the Toad’s Hole Valley site. Brighton and Hove City Council’s planning committee threw out the plans in March 2013, as it did not match with the long-term vision for the site. The developers have appealed the decision, which [is now being] scrutinised by a government inspector after an inquiry in Hove Town Hall [which started] at 10:00am today.
Shale: council cut doubled
The Midhurst and Petworth Observer reports:
WEST Sussex County Council and the South Downs National Park Authority could be set to make millions following an announcement made by David Cameron. Councils that give the green-light to ‘fracking’ projects will be allowed to keep millions of pounds more in tax revenue, the Prime Minister has announced. He said local authorities in England would receive 100 per cent of the business rates collected from shale gas schemes — rather than the usual 50 per cent.
You can read the full story here.
Sloe Gin
Sheila Marshall writes:
The Poynings Sloe Gin and Homemade Liqueur competition (2013 only) has a new section for our neighbouring villages (Fulking, Edburton, Newtimber, Pyecombe, Saddlescombe, and Woodmancote). Monday (cheap meal night at Royal Oak) 20th January 8pm — £1.50 per entry. This is a community organised event hosted by The Royal Oak.