Short Snippets
2008
The plans for the six wind turbines on top of King's House in Grand Avenue are to be considered again. They were initially withdrawn after Councillors decided that they needed more time for consideration. It has not yet been established if the turbines will generate enough energy to outweigh the issue of installing them within a conservation area. Overall the issues are complex and there have been objections from various parties. The planning sub-committee will meet next wednesday (16th April) to decide on the issue.
Update The planning sub-committee refused the application for the wind turbines by a single vote.
West Blatchington Windmill may have to close to visitors due to safety issues. A fire risk assessment, carried out by the Council, has raised concerns about the six sided tapered wooden structure. Two new stairwells may have to be constructed but this may be impractical in a Grade II listed building. Both the Council and the Friends of Blatchington Windmill are keen to keep the windmill open and it is hoped a compromise may be found.
National Mills' Day - is when all UK-wide windmills (and all mills otherwise powered) open to the public for the day. This year on 11th May, the West Blatchington Windmill at Holmes Avenue, Hove, will be open from 11am until 5pm, including events of; radio hams at work, working engines and steam pumps, lace-making, flour grinding, teas, cakes and more. Please support this local event if you can and publicise it where you can. From the 11th May onwards, the mill will then open each Sunday and Bank Holiday Monday from 2.30 until 5pm. Volunteer guides and tea-makers are still required if you can spare any time: if interested please contact Peter Hill on 01273 776017. 'Friends of the Mill' membership, allowing free entry is available at £1 (individual) or £5 (family) per annum.
Councillor Averil Older has been appointed Historic Environment Champion, an idea advocated by Historic Environment Local Management, a branch of English Heritage. H.E.L.M describe the role as checking policies to ensure that the historic environment is taken into account in key decision-making.
Over 150 councils have such a champion and we wish her well.
The i360 project is subject to a delay according to the Argus. Initial problems with the groundwork have been resolved but discussions are in hand regarding the financal package.
Sussex Cricket Ground. Work at the ground was due to start at the end of March but there will be a further delay, due to ongoing problems with the Inland Revenue. Matters have not been settled regarding the legacy left to them by the Cama Estate. The legacy is not subject to inheritance tax but the possibility of a £5million Corporation Tax Bill is potentially disastrous and plans are on hold for the moment.
Plans by developers to demolish the Royal Alexander Children's Hospital buildings in Dyke Road may have run into difficulties. Both English Heritage and the Victorian Society have strongly objected to the proposals stating that demolition could have a detrimental effect on the Montpelier and Clifton Hill Conservation Areas and the setting of the West Hill Conservation Area. There will now be further discussions with the developers regarding the possibility of keeping part of the building.
The Bingo Hall in Portland Road, Hove is threatened with demolition once again. The local residents association has always wished for a development for older people with a day centre, public amenities and leisure space but the present plan is for a GP surgery and 38 flats.Two years of discussion with planners and councillors and residents have been undertaken and generally there has been acceptance that the Hall will have to go but locals feel that redevelopment should be slanted towards the elderly.
It will be a shame to see this landmark Art Deco building go.
The Connaught Centre in Hove, currently used as an adult education centre is under threat. City College want to sell the old Victorian 'Board' school to raise funds for major redevelopment plans. The aim of those objecting is to get the building retained as an educational facility for the community and if redevelopment is involved to ensure that the facade is retained. Personal letters of objection are all that count at this pre-planning stage and should be sent to David Smith, Learning Skills Council, Princes House, 83 Queens Road, Brighton BN1 3XB or to sussexinfo@lcs.uk
The Tongdean Conservation Area has been extended to include some buildings in Tongdean and Carlton Hill. The area will include large Edwardian and Victorian Houses in Dyke Road Avenue and around the Spinney. Conservation experts say the area is an important collection of individually designed properties mainly from the early 20th Century with large gardens, mature trees and boundary walls. The move will protect properties from demolition and help safeguard the gardens from development.
The Council is looking for your views on Estate Agents` Boards. Should boards be banned in the Conservation Areas or should the voluntary code allowing one board per property be allowed to continue? The Council's Environment Committee believes that additional planning restrictions would be better. If you have an opinion on the matter write to the Conservation Manager, Hove Town Hall, Norton Road, BN3 3BQ or e-mail conservation@brighton-hove.gov.uk
The Foredown Tower has had a reprieve for a further year. B & H City Council's Culture, Recreation and Tourism Committee voted to keep the tower open. It is home to the camera obscura, giving views of the surrounding countryside. There will be public consultation to investigate how to encourage more visitors and discussion regarding all the options available for the site.
There is an article and pictures under the 'Articles' tab.
15.3.08 The tower has reopened to the public and is open between 10am and 5pm on weekends and bank holidays
2007
The Argus reports that the work on the 'above ground' part of the i360 will now start next spring. Much preparation work has been undertaken on the site to ensure that the foundations are strong enough to ensure stability. The problem has been with the main sewer which lies beneath the site. Permission has now been given to divert it. Completion date is now early 2010.
Winner of the Art Prize The art fair was a great success and the first photographs of the fair are under Topics. The three winners can be seen together with their prizewinning pieces of artwork.
Charles Busby. The plaque to Charles Busby was unveiled by The Right Worshipful Mayor of the City of Brighton and Hove on the 28th September.
A Monorail train from Brighton Marina to Shoreham Harbour seems to be up for discussion again. It has been suggested before but now, with all the massive development on the seafront, it would be a method of moving all these prospective visitors around the city. This is not an overhead line as the proposal is to follow and extend the line of the old Volks Railway. SEEDA feels that it would assist in the development of Shoreham Harbour and would be generally beneficial. Watch this space!
Eight wind turbines are to be installed on Kings House, Grand Avenue by the council following a £200,000 grant from the Carbon Trust. The Council are to add £250,000 to this sum. Eight Turbines are to be put on the roof and one on the lawn and another two may be used at the Hove Childrens Centre. Cutting carbon emissions is important but to start on the top of a building on the seafront is a strange move. It is a frightening thought that this may open the door to a proliferation of turbines all along the seafront, when so much money has been spent to inprove it. It will be difficult for the Council to refuse permission to ohers if they have opened the door.
NB Very few objections were raised and at the Conservation Advisory Group the design was approved. HCS felt that the the larger turbine on the lawn would be better placed elsewhere but it seems this project will go ahead.
Despite the work of campaigners who have fought hard to save the buildings of the Royal Alexander Childrens Hospital the developers are determined to demolish. If planning permission is granted this well-known landmark will go and in its place will be 150 homes. The planning application is due to be submitted in the summer of 2008 and it will be interesting to see the design. An application to English Heritage to list the building was refused as too much alteration has occured over the years.
Nearly 1000 signatures have been collected objecting to the plans to demolish Holy Trinity Church In Blatchington Road. Hyde Housing said that it is not viable to convert the church in Blatchington Road.
A new West Pier could be built within the next 4 years. The West Pier Trust are in negotiation with a company who want to build a new attraction. The Trust is not releasing any details about the proposal at this time but the deal will be private sector funded. Watch this space!
The Argus reports that the elegant street lamps on the seafront are showing ugly brown stains which look suspiciously like rust. We hope that effective conservation of these iconic seafront structures will be put in hand, and at reasonable cost.
The Engineerium. There are plans to revamp the Engineerium after its purchase by Mike Holland. So far plans have been submitted for a new extension to house a toilet block as well as internal and external alterations to the Exhibition Hall to create a restaurant area. If the Council are in agreement there may be further alterations with an opening in the summer. Hove Civic Society wish the project well.
The Plans have been submitted for the Cricket Ground alterations and they have now been passed. Updates will be given in the Planning section.
A draft Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) on Advertisements went out for formal public consultation, following approval at the Council's Environment Committee on 9th November. This draft SPD aims to give detailed policy guidance on the erection, fixing or replacement of advertisements and signs throughout the city. It aims to raise the standard of design quality and enhance the attractiveness and local distinctiveness of the city’s shopping centres and commercial areas, whilst at the same time protecting residential areas. Particular attention is given to ensuring that advertisements do not detract from the city’s historic built environment. The draft SPD does not cover all forms of advertising, only those most commonly found or proposed in Brighton & Hove.