After already receiving negative opinions on their decision to pull out of their Eastbourne campus, Brighton University have faced further scrutiny after East Sussex County Council commented that the plans were likely to now negatively impact the area’s ability to recover following the Covid-19 pandemic.
The university has announced its plans in recent times to take steps towards the closure of all three of its Eastbourne sites within a three year time frame to subsequently bring all its courses to the Falmer Campus.
The proposals have drawn great criticism from all local sectors of community and government officials, with everyone from the local to the county councils agreeing that by losing the student population and the staff employed there, these plans will adversely affect the local economy and prevent the areas economic recovery.
The three sites at the Eastbourne campus which includes Hillbrow and the sports centre, Darley road and Leaf Hospital is believed to play home to around 1,500 students across all of the facilities.
Particular concern is believed to have been raised over the effect that such proposals may have on the health and social care sector, which already experiences difficulty with recruiting enough of the right staff, and which will now further suffer as a result of student relocation.
Should the university continue with its intentions to withdraw from the area, the council officials have made public calls for the university to assist the community left behind by ensuring that they reduce the damage left behind.
The continued calls to retain the Eastbourne campus are based around the council representatives, local councils, businesses and other community bodies who all don’t want to lose the benefits of the university, and who want the university to see the apparent wisdom and benefits from retaining a wider geographical base for their operations.
The university is due to make a final decision on the plans in early 2022, however they stated that the move was necessary in order to honour its commitments on accessibility and to meet its operational targets on net-zero carbon emissions.
Photo Credit: Rad Ana
