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Dispute over beach threatens port Dispute over beach threatens port
(10 minutes later)
The French owners of a ferry port in East Sussex have threatened to close it because of a row with the town council over public access to a sandy beach.The French owners of a ferry port in East Sussex have threatened to close it because of a row with the town council over public access to a sandy beach.
West Beach, in Newhaven, was closed more than two years ago by Newhaven Port and Properties, which also runs the port, because of an unsafe wall.West Beach, in Newhaven, was closed more than two years ago by Newhaven Port and Properties, which also runs the port, because of an unsafe wall.
Newhaven Town Council threatened legal action, but the owners have threatened to leave the town if it is not dropped.Newhaven Town Council threatened legal action, but the owners have threatened to leave the town if it is not dropped.
Council leader Judith Ost said: "We have a right to that beach."Council leader Judith Ost said: "We have a right to that beach."
"We've had access to that beach for 100 years or more without any difficulty. People just used the beach."We've had access to that beach for 100 years or more without any difficulty. People just used the beach.
"And we have sat down with them and we have tried to say what is it that we can reasonably do.""And we have sat down with them and we have tried to say what is it that we can reasonably do."
Our main concern is to improve the ferry business Jean-Pierre Lucas, Newhaven Port and PropertiesOur main concern is to improve the ferry business Jean-Pierre Lucas, Newhaven Port and Properties
The town council has applied to East Sussex County Council to reclassify the beach as a village green.The town council has applied to East Sussex County Council to reclassify the beach as a village green.
The move would mean the owners would only be able to close the area in an emergency.The move would mean the owners would only be able to close the area in an emergency.
Newhaven Port and Properties said it had been trying to find a solution to the problem with the town council to enable the public to be admitted to the area.Newhaven Port and Properties said it had been trying to find a solution to the problem with the town council to enable the public to be admitted to the area.
It said it had been surprised to hear a suggestion that a public inquiry on the village green application was scheduled for July.It said it had been surprised to hear a suggestion that a public inquiry on the village green application was scheduled for July.
It said: "Such action does not seem to demonstrate any intention to work in co-operation and effectively for the future of the Port of Newhaven.It said: "Such action does not seem to demonstrate any intention to work in co-operation and effectively for the future of the Port of Newhaven.
"At this stage, given the continuous and constant distrust of the local community in the port and its leaders, we consider that we should seek other alternatives for maintaining an active ferry from Dieppe.""At this stage, given the continuous and constant distrust of the local community in the port and its leaders, we consider that we should seek other alternatives for maintaining an active ferry from Dieppe."
Spokesman Jean-Pierre Lucas added: "Our options are either to develop the port with the beach in use or, a better solution for us, would be to move the ferry terminal to another port.Spokesman Jean-Pierre Lucas added: "Our options are either to develop the port with the beach in use or, a better solution for us, would be to move the ferry terminal to another port.
"Our main concern is to improve the ferry business.""Our main concern is to improve the ferry business."
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The threat to close the port followed a row about access to the beach