The threatened livestock market, part of Hailsham’s heritage for the past 750 years, will be able to carry on in a smaller form, as a proposed development on its present site is changed.
Lead County Council Cabinet Member Bob Tidy, and Chairman of a special meeting co-ordinated by the County Council, welcomed the announcement from Aldi that it is to change its planning application to allow the livestock market to continue.
"This is excellent news. We hope to be working very closely with Aldi and the market’s leaseholders, South East Marts, to find a long term solution,” he said.
Councillor Tidy added that both Aldi and South East Marts had already been very helpful and were clearly listening to the concerns of the local community.
David White of the Hailsham Market Action Group echoed Councillor Tidy’s comments. ”We are delighted the market has won this reprieve. We also look forward to working with Aldi and South East Marts to find a long term solution for the continuance of the livestock market in view of its acknowledged importance to the local economy " he said.
The meeting, involving representatives from the County Council, Hailsham Market Action Group, National Farmers Union, SEEDA, Sussex Enterprise, Wealden and Rother Regeneration Partnership, the Country Landowners’ Association, East Sussex Economic Partnership and Wealden District Council, agreed that a feasibility study should be carried out to find a lasting long term solution for the market. This will be carried out with the help of the Meat and Livestock Commission with a preliminary report to be presented at the next meeting in January.
For further details contact Joanna Hill at the county council on 01273 481816 or David White on 01892 510000.
Reference:
04/438/JW
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