On 5 Jul 2014 at 9:33am shopkeeper wrote:
It seems that it's possible to live legally in Lewes for £9.00 a week rent ! Which i suspect is some kind of record . There is a motorhome permanently parked quite legally on the meters on the Phoenix estate which are £1.50 a day mon-sat , therefore the person living in it seems to have found an affordable way to live in this town . It does mean of course that they have to live on an ugly mis-used industrial estate with lots of "artists" but hey you can't always chose your neighbours . I know there are lots of people already living there but i don't think they're legally allowed to live there .
On 5 Jul 2014 at 4:40pm Clifford wrote:
What exactly is it that bothers you, shopkeeper? Tell me where your shop is so I can avoid it.
On 5 Jul 2014 at 5:51pm Hank wrote:
Well said Cliff
On 5 Jul 2014 at 6:28pm shopkeeper wrote:
Actually the state of the whole Phoenix estate bothers me and lack of progress in development . In other less liberal towns bus/caravan dwellers are moved on. Although most towns have less areas in such poor condition with people having yo live in slum conditions . Clifford and Hank I doubt very much you'd come in my shop anyway ....thankfully .
On 5 Jul 2014 at 7:25pm Hank wrote:
Are you a real shopkeeper . I was taking the mickey calling myself Hank ( marvin) you sound serious , I am saddened by your attitude
On 5 Jul 2014 at 9:20pm Historian wrote:
Just proves what a load of weirdos there are living amongst us eh ?
On 5 Jul 2014 at 11:25pm shopkeeper wrote:
Sorry Hank I don't quite get the point of you calling yourself Hank (Marvin) is there a relevance ? Historian are you referring to me being a weirdo or the squatters ? . Also my original point was in promoting cheap and legal accommodation in Lewes . you all seem rather defensive , perhaps you have a connection with the Phoenix "community ".
On 6 Jul 2014 at 12:19am Historian wrote:
Actually Shopkeeper, I wasn't referring to you. And yes the others all do seem defensive, and no-one is shocked that someones living in a Camper van on a parking meter amongst us. I'm surprised they are actually paying the meter. I thought the squat had burnt down, has it been resurrected ?
On 6 Jul 2014 at 9:10am shopkeeper wrote:
Historian yes there are a lot of people living there in a number of the buildings and in vans and caravans . One would have thought that after the fire , where luckily no one was hurt ( someone did live in that building ) that the authorities ie; council, fire service and Santon themselves would / should have ensured that if a similar incident was to occur ( very possible due to condition of buildings ) that the risk to life be minimalised. Anyone who has driven onto the estate or seen it from the other side of the river must be aware of the state of the place. A blind eye is for some strange reason being turned, I suspect that were the people living there irish travellers they would have been moved immediately but because these are white middle class "arty" types it's somehow acceptable .
On 6 Jul 2014 at 9:17am concerned wrote:
Shopkeeper, a lot of Lewesians
share your concerns .
On 6 Jul 2014 at 9:55am me wrote:
Smells like a Santon Stooge to me. Demonise them and make quite petty attempts to get the town on your side. Nice try Shoppy
On 6 Jul 2014 at 11:04am Historian wrote:
Is the camper van fully taxed and insured,Roadworthy and MOT'd etc ? ! doubt it !
On 6 Jul 2014 at 1:54pm belladonna wrote:
Funnily enough a lot of the creative people on the Phoenix estate are trying to live a life that does not make them a burden on the state. Starting their own businesses, being inventive about accommodation, growing their own food etc. It's very self sufficient and should be approved by those right wing/Tory/ libertarian types. Strangely, because the life they lead is outside the mainstream, it can't be controlled, and those living it do not conform to the small-minded neat and tidy brigade who want Lewes (and other places) to become clone towns. I think that's what really makes you angry, shopkeeper. They are not like you, and not buying your goods. I'm with Clifford - which is your shop ? I'll make sure I never come in.
On 6 Jul 2014 at 6:11pm bastian wrote:
Well said Bella!
couldn't have put it better myself.
On 6 Jul 2014 at 9:04pm shopkeeper wrote:
Belladonna luckily for me I fear my shop is too "mainstream" fo you , Clifford and Hank ( marvin ) plus it's not in Lewes . I'm not a Santon stooge in fact I have issues with them , 1: why are they allowing people to live in commercial buildings that don't have residential permission . 2:have they ensured that these buildings have all been inspected by the Fire service as all commercial premises ( yes including mine ) have to be . 3:why are they dragging their heels over getting started on the development that the majority of lewisians ( yes including me ) will be happy to see . Ps lewes will never be a clone town it does however need to enter the 21st century , in a controlled manner of course .
On 6 Jul 2014 at 11:33pm Mavis wrote:
Bella, must I consider myself small minded, neat and tidy ?, because I pay my domestic Rates, house insurance, electric, water and gas bills, income tax and National insurance on any earnings, have a current MOT and car insurance and am a fully paid up member of society ? Go live on a desert island and not off the back of a more regularised community ! AGAIN ITS DOWN TO THE LACKADAISICAL COUNCIL WE'VE GOT.....THEY KNOW THE FACTS AND ARE NOT DOING ANYTHING ABOUT IT
On 7 Jul 2014 at 1:32am Tory Voice wrote:
These people are the scum of the earth. Move them out now!
On 7 Jul 2014 at 2:59pm belladonna wrote:
Only if you want to Mavis.
I too, pay my mortgage, my taxes, my bills, my council tax, etc, but I have no problem with people living 'outside' the system, in fact I rather admire their bravery, it can't be easy living like that.
There are many so-called regular businesses who employ accountants to get them out of paying tax etc and minimise their contribution to greater society, I'm not going to quibble about the tax receipts of maybe 20 people living in vans, and I doubt whether HMRC will either. They probably don't even qualify to pay tax !
Shopkeeper - Santon haven't started building because they haven't got permission yet, simple as that. The South Downs planning authority was not happy with their plans so far. There are also alternative proposals on the table.
Many of the buildings on the Phoenix estate are more 'regluar' businesses, and I'm sure the landlords/owners of the various buildings (Santon and the council) make sure the fire checks etc are done as it would be a statutory requirement. I guess you could always ask Santon yourself ?
On 7 Jul 2014 at 5:29pm bastian wrote:
Belladonna, what these silly people don't know is that everyone on the industrial estate pays their rent to Santon, and their electric, business rates just like all the other people in the world, but they have this ficticious idea that it's all for free. It just shows how often they actually go down there an dtalk to the businesses on the estate. All the fire checks are done on the buildings, but no one can invest in a building that is about to be torn down.
As to people in vans, they all work, they earn under the tax rate. With the way things are going for the young, I think any others may adopt this way of life, perhaps it's the way forward.
On 7 Jul 2014 at 6:14pm Man in a Van wrote:
Good point Bastian , about living "rough" and working . Exactly what several people did back in the 70`s . There were a few squats in Lewes then - 3 in Malling and a couple up by the (then ) Labour Exchange. Most of the folk worked and spent the money in the Lewes economy . Anyone old enough to remember the houses ?
On 9 Jul 2014 at 8:51am Grumps wrote:
You can live legally for free if your a single mum and have millions of kids everywhere with no fathers to be seen. Claiming of the state and cheating the system, getting your arse wiped by everyone, not working a day in your life. Having kids to get money. Maybe you should concentrate on them retards rather then some people slumming it up in their vans. Or concentrate on all the illegal foreigners flooding England and making it the way it is.
On 9 Jul 2014 at 10:15am Zebedee wrote:
Do you actually know single mothers who do this? If not, then you should shut up and not believe all you read in the cheap papers.
As for illegal foreigners flooding your neighbourhood.. Give it a rest.