Fisherman claims threat to business

AFTER years of fighting for a fishing concession Beer fisherman Brian Sanderson has finally been granted one-but 'stringent' conditions have led him to claim it will threaten his business.

Mr Sanderson, of Park Road, was told by East Devon District Council earlier this month that his second application for a concession on Seaton beach had been approved.

But he says in contradiction to a meeting he had last year with council members, who told him he could be given a three year concession, he was told the contract would only be for five months - running from the beginning of May to the end of September this year.

A frustrated Mr Sanderson said: "I have been told at the end of that period, I will have to remove everything from the site which will make the concession completely and totally financially non-viable.

"I think the council is not only being derogatory but divisive. How can they expect anyone to spend a great sum of money-several thousands of pounds- on a five month concession? The council is giving me a concession with one hand and taking it away with the other."

He also claims he was told by a member of the council that if he refused this concession he would not be given another one.

Now in a 'state of limbo' Mr Sanderson has written to the council asking it to clarify the conditions of the concession and has requested the concession date to be extended.

He added: "All I want out of this is a solution which is reasonable to all concerned and for the council to grant me the three year concession they suggested at a meeting last year."

An EDDC spokesman said: "We are currently in touch with Mr Sanderson about a number of issues he has raised with us over his proposed beach concession at Seaton.

"At the moment, therefore, it would not be appropriate to respond publicly to his comments.