Progress still continues with regard to the feasibility of acquiring Ocklynge Chalk Pit as a suitable site for The JPK Project

As you are aware, we have been fundraising and searching for an ideal site for some seven years. Land is hard to find, in this climate of new development for housing in the South East, although you might imagine to the contrary. It is essential that our Project should be based within an urban setting, whereby the residents can become part of an existing community and this aspect is a necessity as we shall require the support of East Sussex County Council, and they have intimated that this would be a requirement.

The good news since October is that our offer of £700,000 has been accepted by the Governing Body of Sussex Downs College, subject to various caveats including Planning Consent, Vacant Possession and a Contamination report.

Derek Kemp,CPL Architects, is working to complete the Full Planning Application which is taking longer than anticipated due to all the additional surveys required by Eastbourne borough Council.
A Badger survey (cost £495) has now been completed which shows their trails to be only on the banks and not within the bowl where building will take place.
In addition, a Mitigation report (cost £500) is necessary to outline steps to be taken to protect the badgers during the building work. This will include an Ecology/Scoping survey (cost £700-£900) to indicate what can be planted within the Conservation area and deal with Japanese Knotweed.
An Arboriculturist survey (cost £400) is required as there are preservation orders on many trees, placed by neighbours to protect their privacy.These trees require drastic pruning as they have been neglected over the years.
A Contamination survey (!st estimate £9,750) is necessary due to the past use of the site for Lime Kilns, Civil Defence and a Garden maintenance depot with tanks of diesel located on the site where spillage may have occurred.

Meetings have taken place with Mr. Jeremy Howes, Solicitor, Cornfield Law who is receiving documents from the Vendors solicitors. He has discovered discrepancies with regard to the Land Registry and the Land Survey which require investigation as it is essential that our application indicates clearly the land which is for purchase and on which planning consent is to be obtained. We are extremely grateful to Jeremy for his continued support and advice over so many years.

Letters of support have also been received from Mr. Nigel Waterson M.P. (Eastbourne) and Mr. Charles Hendry M.P. (Wealden).

The JPK Project Annual General Meeting will take place on Wednesday 11th June 2008 at 10am at 7,Wannock Avenue. Everyone is welcome. Should you wish to attend I would be grateful if you could notify me in advance to ensure adequate seating and papers are available. Mr. John Males, Accountant, will be present to report on the accounts for the year.

We are grateful to Dr. David Watson, Trustee, who has volunteered to undertake the paperwork required for Gift Aid. Gift Aid is an additional income that can be obtained from all tax payers who make a donation, whether it is an actual donation or a donation to an event. Forms can be obtained from Jill Parker.

Mr.Philip Clear, who passed away on March 20th 2007, supported the aims and objectives of the Downland Farm Project based at Chalk Farm Hotel, Willingdon, and latterly the JPK Project, leaving the extremely generous sum of £164,717.20 to the JPK Project in his will.He was an inspiration to all involved with the Project, imparting knowledge, wisdom and experience and giving tirelessly of his time to support and benefit others of all generations.
Mr. Clear was born in Eastbourne and became a teacher, with a short break in his career while serving with the R.A.F. during the Second World War.Following his marriage he lived in Darwen, Lancashire, serving as Mayor and a Justice of the Peace. He was chairman of a wide variety of Committees and a member of the Rotary Club.
On retirement he returned to Eastbourne in 1978 and became involved with assisting fundraising and supporting the JPK Project, having been inspired by Katie Parker and her mother, considering Katie as his surrogate grand-daughter having had no children of his own.
He will be greatly missed.

The JPK Project has been nominated for this prestigious award by Mrs.M.Clive-Matthews,supported by Graham Shuttleworth and Jan Guthrie, all long-standing supporters of the Trustees’ work in the community.It is a long procedure but the first hurdle, of having the application accepted and approved, has been successfully overcome. The second stage, an in-depth interview with two of the Queen’s South East Representatives, has also taken place. The interviewers were impressed with the aims and objectives of the Project and the determination of the Trustees over the last five years to secure a site, raise funds and secure so much support from so many other local organisations and the local community at large.
Their reports are then sent to a central committee where all 400+ applications from all over the U.K. will be judged. Decisions will be made in June.
We heard that we passed the second stage and were invited to a Reception at Plumpton College in April with the Lord Lieutenant of Sussex. This was an event where there were no winners or losers. Successful groups will receive a certificate signed by the Queen and also a commemorative piece of crystal for display at their main place of operation. Should we be successful this award will certainly lend credence to the JPK Project.

On Friday, 20th July 2007 a meeting was held with Mark McFadden, Stiles Harold Williams, Land Valuer and Jeremy Howes, Cornfield Law, to commence negotiations with regard to an agreed price for the land. The site is on the market for 1.275 million but due to the heavy restrictions levied by Eastbourne Borough Council Planning Department for development on this site, it has been considered that the true valuation for our project to be established is more likely to be in the region of £220,000. Due to the considerable variance of these amounts, negotiations could be protracted. Once a reasonable sum is agreed, it will be Subject to the various caveats of Subject to Contract, Subject to Vacant Possession, Contamination Report and Planning Permission.

On the 24th July 2007 a formal offer was made to Strutt and Parker the Agents for £220,000, as per the valuation, but this was not accepted and we were asked to raise our offer substantially. Followed much deliberation by the Trustees and lengthy discussions with our professional advisors and during this time we were also advised that a third party had made an offer of £1.2 million with a two year option to purchase. What a dilemma! No way could we match this offer but on the other hand, where were we going to find another suitable site?
During further various discussions with The Trustees and our Advisors, it was considered that the value of the land, following Planning Consent would be worth more to us and how could you put a price on the dire need for housing for people with a learning disability? After full discussions with all the Trustees, it was agreed that we should make an offer of £700,000 Subject to Contract, Planning Consent, Vacant Possession and a Contamination Report.
This offer has now been accepted by the Governors of Sussex Downs College.
We have since been liaising closely with Derek Kemp, CPL Architects and he has initiated the Full Land Survey which has enabled him to draw up Draft Plans for Ocklynge Chalk Pit over the Christmas and New Year period. It will also be necessary for further surveys to be undertaken as indicated by Eastbourne Borough Council Planning Department.
To date the costs for the full planning application are as follows:
Full Land Survey £2,450.00+vat
CPL Architects £5,000.00+vat
CPL Architects Reimbursements £ 250.00+vat
Eastbourne Borough Council £3,449.00
Total £12,496.50 inclusive of vat

In addition we shall require:
A Badger survey £495.00
This will locate the badger movements on the site and ensure that we do not block their foraging trails.
Flora and Fauna survey Cost unknown
Arboriculturist survey Cost unknown
There are preservation orders on many of the trees on the site. These are of little interest but this was brought about by the neighbours to maintain their privacy.
Contamination survey Cost unknown
This is necessary due to the past usage of the site as a Civil Defence Centre and it’s latter use as a Garden Maintenance Depot, where tanks of diesel have been located and spillage may have occurred.

Although the main body of the Business Plan has been completed for some time, due to our unwillingness for further expenditure, the Feasibility Study has not yet been completed. However, whilst undertaking the Planning Application all figures for building will be to hand and at that time we will also undertake the the budget forecasts for the Revenue Costs, so the Plan will be completed with a realistic financial analysis. This document will be essential for applying to Grant Making Trusts and the Lottery for further funding to help the project as a whole.
It is essential for the security and longevity of the JPK Project to establish sound financial management for the future and liaison still continues with Rehab, a well recognised national charity experienced in the field of caring for those with disabilities. Regular meetings continue with their South East Area Director, who is enthusiastic and extremely helpful with advice.A more substantial alliance will be negotiated once we have secured the land and planning consent.

The 3rd Annual Charity Golf Day in aid of The JPK Project was held on the 21st September 2007 at Willingdon Golf Club. This was organised and co-ordinated by Chris Rose with the help of Ian Frampton, Dave Hunt and Peter Lindop. 28 teams took part for a days golfing followed by a Grand Raffle, Dinner, Prize Giving and an Auction. A fantastic, in excess of, £14,000 was raised on the day all made possible by the above people, various helpers, Sponsors, the main sponsor being Essex Utilities Ltd, donators of Raffle and Auction Prizes and all those who took part in the event. We are ever grateful to Chris Rose and his Team for all their hard work and support.
In total, The three Charity Golf Days has raised in the region of £34,800. Fantastic and congratulations and our grateful thanks.

Concentus Chorale Choir continues to support The JPK Project and for seven weeks during the summer period sang at the Bandstand at Eastbourne and were granted permission from The Mayor, Cllr Mrs Mary Pooley to have a retiring collection for our charity. £605.50 was raised for which we are extremely grateful. They have raised a further £1,000 during the Christmas period from their concerts and Carol Singing.

Due to the continuing support of Maureen and John Males and their family another enjoyable and successful evening was held at their home in Polegate and a wonderful £1,715.60 was raised on the night. We are extremely grateful for their continuing support and for all those people who attended the event and supplied Raffle and Auction Prizes.
In addition Nicki Powell obtained a further £750 from her company where she works, Legal and General.
It is understood that anyone who has helped at a fundraising event can apply to their Company where they work for a donation, as it is believed that funds are available for these purposes.

Leonie’s Preserves have raised the sum of £1,600 throughout the year and £716 from the sale of Christmas baskets. Orders can be placed on 01323 814817 or purchased from the following addresses:7 Wannock Avenue, 16 Brook Street, Polegate or Gilda Crescent Resource Centre.

Throughout the year we hold three Fayres organised by Trustees Margaret and Mavis Langford-Noakes and a total of £2,874.68 has been raised. We are grateful for the support of the local community who attend these functions and who also donate the items on sale and the raffle and tombola prizes. Any unwanted gifts are always welcomed. Please contact 01323 485617