Media Release
EMBARGO: 00.01hrs January 25, 2012
CELEBRATION AS HISTORIC LIVESTOCK MART SAVED
Campaigners are celebrating the news that an historic livestock market has finally been saved from all threats of development.
Hailsham Market, which traces its history to a Royal Charter of 1252, is on a town centre site in Hailsham, East Sussex. Since 1997, the market has faced repeated threats of closure from developers wishing to build a supermarket on its site.
But thankfully South East Marts, the operator of Hailsham Market, has finally been able to purchase the freehold of the market site in Market Street, Hailsham, ending more than 15 years of uncertainty over the market’s future.
South East Marts director and auctioneer Roger Waters, who has been among those fighting for the market’s future, is delighted. He says: “It’s great news that Hailsham Market is now on a firm footing, with the company that is operating the market also owning the market site. We want to improve the facilities here but the present market is functional, its future is secure and we can operate here very happily. We are still considering moving to a larger, more accessible site on the outskirts of Hailsham where we could create a new market and rural business centre, if it would be economically viable and the right consents could be gained.”
Hailsham Market Action Group chair Phil Hook, an organic dairy farmer from Hailsham and NFU member, says: “The dogged determination of all those campaigning to save Hailsham Market has really paid off. This is the best news that 2012 could bring the livestock farming community in and around East Sussex.”
Mr Hook pays tribute to the work of retired solicitor David White, now a Wealden District councillor, who has assisted the Hailsham Market Action Group at every step of the campaign.
David White says: “The past 15 years have been traumatic, to say the least, but thankfully all that uncertainty is now at an end! People have been so supportive – farmers pledged more than £400,000 for the campaign to save Hailsham Market and we won the backing of MPs, peers and all tiers of local government.”
East Sussex NFU chair Gillian van der Meer, whose dairy farming family uses Hailsham Market, adds: “Livestock farming really does matter to this part of the South East and Hailsham Market is part of its vital infrastructure. Once lost, infrastructure is almost impossible to replace. The NFU was determined not to lose Hailsham Market which is one of only two livestock markets in the region. Farmers maintain high animal welfare standards and a livestock market within easy reach is an essential trading facility, keeping food miles in check.”
Media are invited to meet the campaigners who will say a few words before popping the bubbly on Wednesday January 25 from 11.15/11.45am at Hailsham Market, BN27 2AG. There will also be opportunities to talk to market users.
Please confirm your attendance with NFU South East PR Officer Isobel Bretherton tel: 01730 711956/07778 002617 isobel.bretherton@nfu.org.uk
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Notes To Editors:
Markets have been held in Hailsham since the town received a Royal charter in 1252. The market moved to its present town centre site in 1867.
The Hailsham Market Action Group
A group of farmers, market users and supporters dedicated to maintaining a livestock market in the vicinity of Hailsham. Hailsham has hosted a cattle market since 1252.
Timeline
The right to hold livestock markets in Hailsham was granted to The Hailsham Cattle Market Company Ltd by an Act of Parliament in 1871. Originally this statutory company only had a lease of the present site, later acquiring the freehold to the property in 1937. [To this day The Hailsham Cattle Market Company Ltd exists as a wholly owned subsidiary of South East Marts Ltd].
Recently two retailers have sought to build supermarkets on the three acre market site in Market Street, Hailsham., In 1997 Sainsburys signed option agreements to buy the property, and promoted a private act of Parliament to amend the statutory company to permit redevelopment, but this was blocked by the House of Lords.
Supermarket Aldi bought the shares in the statutory company in 2004 and having entered into options on the lease of the site with ADM (which company then owned the shares in the market lessee, South East Marts Limited) sought planning consent to redevelop the site of Hailsham Market.
In 2007 Wealden District Council narrowly voted to refuse Aldi planning permission for a supermarket – more than 300 objections had been lodged against its application. Aldi appealed the refusal
In 2008 administrators were appointed to ADM and members of Hailsham Market Action Group bought the shares in South East Marts Limited from the administrators.
In 2009 Hailsham Market Action Group which by then owned the shares in South East Marts Limited appeared at the planning appeal and successfully argued for the refusal of planning consent for the Aldi redevelopment.
Campaigners trying to save the market included the NFU. All highlighted a Meat and Livestock Commission study that affirmed Hailsham livestock market’s unique nature within England as a livestock trading centre. They argued the market supported traditional farming systems that contribute to the management of some of the South East’s finest farmed landscapes such as the South Downs, the Weald and the Pevensey Levels.
The planning inspector had recognised the importance of the market to the rural economy and the environment of East Sussex when making a decision to refuse development.
The shares in the statutory company remained within Aldi’s ownership until just over six months ago, when Aldi agreed to dispose of them to South East Marts the sale being completed just before Christmas 2011
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