Poisoned land

I know that many councillors and the people of Littlehampton would love to see a new hospital in our forever growing town. We must be cautious, however, as current members of the NHS Coastal West Sussex Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) have in the past said ‘no’ to any such development.

I and other councillors have tried to get the CCG to commit to a new hospital and they have just slithered away like snakes in the grass. I do, however, question their supposedly new proposed care plans for the future, if we do not have a hospital in Littlehampton.

As for the leaked email which is now causing more controversy about the movement of the Littlehampton Swimming and Sports Centre (Gazette story, June 19), I just wonder why is it that councillor Paul Dendle, the Arun District Council cabinet member, is hell-bent on moving it?

I may not be correct, but is it not a fact that the land at Daisyfields was previously a landfill site? And if it was, then surely it is contaminated? It is said that this ground is unsuitable for housing, so how can it be suitable for a swimming pool?

If the land is contaminated, then why would such a development be suitable, as any type of contamination would surely find its way eventually into the swimming pool’s water system, which would deem the pool to be unfit for purpose and then cost millions of pounds to be put right or to be moved again? I also understand that there is supposed to be an issue of subsidence in the area.

Why does Mr Dendle not understand that the people of Littlehampton have marched and stated verbally and by petition that they do not want the pool to be moved, and that they fully understand that there is enough ground there for a new pool to built while the old one is still in use?

And as for the comment by Mr Dendle that ‘they can vote us out’, my personal opinion is that he could be walking the plank in 11 months’ time if he does not listen to the people who voted him in last time.

Councillor Ian Buckland

town councillor, River ward and county councillor, Littlehampton Town

The Blatchen

Littlehampton

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