A beach in East Sussex could reopen to the public almost 20 years after safety concerns shut access to the shore. Newhaven West Beach was closed by French owner Newhaven Port and Properties in 2008 due to the “dangerous condition” of its cliffs. James MacCleary, the Liberal Democrat MP for Lewes, presented a bill to parliament in an attempt to secure legal public access to the “beautiful sandy beach” on 28 April. MacCleary said : “17 years ago, this beach was closed to the people of Newhaven. For generations, the West Beach was where children learned to swim, families spent their summer and memories were made. It was not just a stretch of sand; it was a part of life.” He called on the government to “take this bill, adopt it, make it law and give Newhaven its beach back.” Newhaven Port and Properties have previously rejected proposals to reopen the beach on health and safety grounds.…