Mystery buyer of controversial plot of land in Eastbourne steps forward

The mystery buyer behind the purchase of a controversial plot of land in a housing estate in Eastbourne has stepped forward to reveal all.
Colin Belsey and Margaret DowneyColin Belsey and Margaret Downey
Colin Belsey and Margaret Downey

Margaret Downey, of Pocock’s Road, bought the land next to her house, in Burton Road near the Rodmill, after it went under the hammer with auctioneers Barnard Marcus for £15,000 on February 3 at a Covent Garden venue.

After reading through pre-planning applications submitted by the previous owners of the plot, Bexhill-based business C Henry Bond, she realised the company was looking to build bungalows on the initial land and also two more plots in the area.

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Cllr Belsey said he was 'shocked' at the amount Mrs Downey paid for the landCllr Belsey said he was 'shocked' at the amount Mrs Downey paid for the land
Cllr Belsey said he was 'shocked' at the amount Mrs Downey paid for the land
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The semi-retired solicitor said she wanted to see how the plot fared at auction and waited until afterwards to put a bid in - the highest bidder’s attempts at £11,000 was not enough, so Mrs Downey swooped in and bought all three plots.

She said, “When I saw what they were trying to do I felt horror. We were worried that if one plot went the rest of them would go. You know what planning is like you try and get it through and fail, but if you persevere it will eventually be approved.

“If we didn’t buy the plots I think we would have moved because it wouldn’t have been the same.”

Mrs Downey said she has been living in the house for 32 years and one of the reasons she moved in was because of the ‘nice greenery’.

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She said, “This means quite a lot to me. We bought this property for the nice greenery areas and that is why a lot of people buy here. Hopefully it has put everybody’s mind at rest. The land is safe and it will remain safe for as long as I am here, and after, so that it is never developed on.”

Conservative councillor for the Ratton ward Colin Belsey, who said he felt the developers were just ‘trying it on’ and ‘testing the waters’, thanked Mrs Downey for her ‘extraordinary generosity’.

He said, “We are just delighted with what she has done. When Margaret told me what she had paid I was shocked at the amount. On behalf of all three local councillors in this ward, we thank Margaret for her extraordinary generosity and we will do our best now to enhance the area.”

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