NOT A COMBE OVER
The year is 2013 A.D Bexhill is entirely occupied by the Romans. Well, not entirely... One small village of indomitable tree-sitters still holds out against the invaders.
To everyone's surprise the last camp on the route of the Bexhill bypass still stands strong. The first two camps were evicted in a flurry of activity last week, but Camp Decoy located amongst the last few big trees on the route. Campaigners are not sure what has held contractors off for so long, suggesting a combination of bad weather and the fact that BLINKRR have launched a legal action to stop any further work. The organisation believe that the route of the bypass crosses the actual site of the Battle of Hastings.
Whatever the reason, the week long respite has allowed the happy campers to intensify their programme of works and fortifications have been going up (or down).
This weekend Combe Haven defenders have urged as many as possible to make it onto site for a weekend of “Singing, supper and CEOs”. Singing and supper are self explanatory (although it is to be hoped that at least some of those attending will take the opportunity to roll up their sleeves and get on with a bit of digging and climbing) but CEOs? Turns out that the Chief Executives of Greenpeace, Friends of the Earth, the Wildlife Trust and the Campaign for the Protection of Rural England will all be putting in a special guest appearance to walk the route on Sunday.
With eviction looming on Monday – now really is the time to take a stand. Bring menhirs if possible.
For more and details of transport from Brighton see Combe Haven Defenders
* SchNEWS Vocabwatch – Aboritect noun: a builder of tree houses.
In respect of the land required for the link road a metal detector survey and fieldwalking survey of suitable fields was required mitigation for the Scheme and this was undertaken by Oxford Archaeology (with the assistance of local volunteers coordinated through Hastings Area Archaeological Research Group) in November and a report will be issued in January 2013.
There have already been a number of evaluation trial trenching, test pitting and borehole surveys which have been used to inform further archaeological investigation that will take place during construction. A Written Scheme of Investigation containing the proposed archaeological mitigation works has been submitted to the Head of Planning for sign off in accordance with Planning condition 17 for the project which states:
For each phase permitted under condition 4, no development shall take place until the applicant has secured the implementation of a programme of archaeological work in accordance with detailed written schemes of investigation for each phase, which has been submitted to and approved in writing by Head of Planning. The programmes of archaeological works shall include the proposals in the Environmental Statement and subsequent addenda, evaluation and mitigation fieldwork, post-excavation analysis, reporting and any post-development monitoring, and shall be carried out as approved in writing by the Head of Planning, unless otherwise agreed in writing by the Head of Planning.
A written record of any archaeological works undertaken shall be submitted to the Head of Planning within 3 months of the completion of any archaeological investigation unless otherwise agreed in writing by the Head of Planning.
I hope this will help reassure you that every effort is being made to ensure a proper programme of archaeological investigation and mitigation is in place for the scheme.
If you would like to be kept informed of developments in relation to the link road you can join our email mailing list. Just reply to this email and I will add you to the list to receive updates. Otherwise if you have any further questions please do not hesitate to contact me.
Yours sincerely
Chloe de Renzy-Martin
Stakeholder Engagement Officer
Bexhill to Hastings Link Road Project Team
Economy, Transport & Environment
East Sussex County Council
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"The more video footage I see of the beauty of the landscape in Combe Haven and the principled stand taken by the protesters in freezing conditions, to protest against a destructive, unnecessary and costly scheme, the more I think they've got the wrong people in court" - defendant Tom Druitt.
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