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The Foredown Tower in Portslade could have a much wider range of activities in future, as a result of plans being considered on 16 September to lease the site at peppercorn rent to the Hove and Adur Sea Cadets. The proposed 25-year lease would enable the Cadets to develop the site for greater community use and new opportunities for young people. It is expected that it would become the base for the Cadets' programme for 12-18 year olds, offering young people fun and adventure as well as the chance to work towards Duke of Edinburgh and other qualifications. It is anticipated that the tower would continue to be run by the council through 2009 while negotiations take place with the Cadets over the lease. The Cadets' vision for the centre includes developing it as a key access point for the South Downs for people in the west of the city, with a catering facility and close links with key countryside organisations to provide information about walks and other activities. They would also look to develop the site as a meeting place for community groups. The council has also been working with a number of countryside organisations that have expressed their support for developing the site as a base for accessing the countryside. Under the council's plans any lease agreement would ensure continued use of the tower's famous ‘camera obscura' for educational purposes and by astronomers and other interested groups. The council's cabinet member for culture, recreation and tourism, Councillor David Smith, will also decide on 16 September whether the council should put in a bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund for a grant to mark the tower's centenary next year. Councillor Smith said: "The future is looking brighter now for the Foredown Tower than it has done for decades. "I'm delighted that the Hove and Adur Sea Cadets share our vision of it as a base for a range of community activities and as a key access point for the South Downs. I believe a lease deal with them is probably the best way to secure the Tower's long-term future and deliver a better service to residents." |
