Belle Toute Lighthouse Sold
By Sue Clark on Mar 14, 2008 in News 
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And Not To The Trust
The 175-year-old Grade II-listed building was sold for an undisclosed sum, believed to be around £500,000, to a foreign buyer, according to a story at the Argus. A spokesman for Lewes estate agents Strutt and Parker, which oversaw the sale, said the buyer had “good local knowledge” and said a family member of the buyer’s would live there.
It was with a sad face I read the email from Rob Wassell, President of the Belle Toute Preservation Trust the other day. It confirmed that the historic and beautiful Belle Toute Lighthouse had been sold to a buyer for an undisclosed amount. According to estate agent Rager and Roberts, contracts have been exchanged on the historic building.
From Rob Wassell
Today we were advised that the recent sale of the Belle Toute Lighthouse has gone through and contracts have been exchanged.
This is a great disappointment as we had invested so much time and effort in trying to make this dream a reality, for the future of this historic building and for the public’s ability to visit and stay in such an amazing place.
The trust has continued to campaign and rally support although at the end of the day it wasn’t enough and we were again ‘pipped at the post’ by a private buyer with a cash offer.
“I would personally like to thank everyone who has supported us on this exciting adventure. It’s been great fun and I have met some wonderful people and made some good friends. I wouldn’t have missed it for the world.”
The trust intends to wind-up the company and its operation although it will keep the website updated in respect for this magnificent building and as an information resource relating to its history. Expect a number of updates in due course, including some rare photos which we were intending to show at the lighthouse.
And.. who knows, should the lighthouse come up for sale again in the future, perhaps we may be in a position to re-form and realise our ambition for this historic landmark.
Thank you to everybody for your support.
Rob Wassell
Chairman
The Belle Toute Lighthouse Preservation Trust
Talking the Talk
Everyone talks the talk as the saying goes, but they don’t always walk the walk. This certainly could have turned out differently if the support had been there. The historic lighthouse would have been open to everyone, if everyone would have sent in a small amount of money, perhaps by giving up one latte at their favorite coffehouse, or one brew at their favorite pub.
To Belle Toute Trust, I say this: You tried, it didn’t work out. And perhaps the new owners, whoever they might be, will share your dream of seeing this iconic beacon open to others. And that they will maintain it in the manner to which it has become accustomed.
For more information on the lighthouse, please see the previous articles in the series, listed below.
Photo Credit: Belle Toute at Sunset from theladsweekend. Some rights reserved.
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