An Eastbourne councillor has called on Eastbourne Borough Council to use emergency planning powers to stop highways contractor Balfour Beatty from removing 13 cast iron "barley sugar" street lights from Terminus Road.
Conservative Meads Councillor, Robert Smart, has requested that council officers issue an emergency ‘Article 4’ planning measure to save the Victorian-design lights, which have become the focus of a campaign by residents, councillors, the Eastbourne Society and the Chamber of Commerce. The heritage columns are due to be replaced with modern steel lights, despite widespread calls to keep them and simply upgrade the fittings.
Councillor Smart said "When relatively minor changes to shop fronts or homes require detailed planning permission, it is extraordinary that a scheme transforming our main shopping street has not been subject to the same scrutiny. I have asked officers to urgently explore using an emergency Article 4 Direction to block this removal. These are beautiful, well-made heritage lights that reflect Eastbourne's Victorian character. Residents have made their feelings very clear with 'Save Our Lamp Posts' signs on every column."
The cast iron columns are based on Victorian originals from Devonshire Park. East Sussex County Council say they are being removed because they do not meet modern lighting standards, but campaigners argue that brighter, modern LED fittings can easily be installed in the existing columns.
