Chair's report for 2007/8

Peter Crowhurst

Raising our profile

By Peter Crowhurst, NLCA Chair

The work of the NLCA

The North Laine Community Association (NLCA) exists to 'promote the benefit of the inhabitants of the area' and 'to work with local bodies to improve conditions of life' for its residents. Much of the work of the NLCA has in the past year focused on protecting our quality of life which for many has been threatened by increased noise and also on doing what we can to protect the historical character of the area, from which we derive so much pleasure and is the reason why so many of us actually live in the North Laine.

The impact of the new licensing law

The cumulative impact of the new licensing law and the introduction of no smoking into public places have had a huge impact on the North Laine - something recognised by Tim Nichols, Head of Licensing at the Council. The no-smoking regulation together with extended hours for licensed establishments has had the effect of encouraging many more drinkers to drink outside near to residents' houses and to much later in the night. It has been the policy of the NLCA to inform residents of licensing and planning applications which might affect them and to support them should they wish to make a representation to the Council. With the support of NLCA officers, residents have been successful in reducing the impact of licensing extensions in a number of cases and I would like to thank Roy Skam and Gabrielle Villermet in particular for their efforts in helping these residents.

Threats to the character of the North Laine

The character of the North Laine lies in its mixture of Victorian terraced housing, small-scale shops, warehouses and increasingly small work units. This special character is, we believe, being eroded by the influx of chain stores seeking to exploit the popularity of the area and developers who have little commitment to maintaining the scale and architectural features of the North Laine. As ever, much of the work this year has been to protect this special character and we have had some notable successes, especially the rejection of the Beetham tower block. Thanks must go to those local residents who attended the public enquiry and spoke up for the North Laine and against the 42-storey building which would have dominated our area.

I would like to thank Gabrielle Villermet and Barry Leigh, who have carefully scrutinised every planning application that affects the North Laine, reported back to the monthly meetings with their recommendations, and then sent appropriate letters following the decision of the meeting.

Social events

The NLCA continues to promote a community feeling in the North Laine and this year we have put on or supported a number of events which have brought people together. In September 2007 David Sewell of the Pavilion Gardens Café hosted a tea party for residents of the North Laine. Whereas in 2006 the event was all but washed out by some awful weather, last September saw blue skies, which brought out crowds of North Lainers. Thank you, David,  for your continued support.

The tea party was closely followed by Tidy Street and Over Street closing their streets to cars for a day in September 2007 and having a street parties. It was so good to see many young families enjoying themselves and getting to know their neighbours. It is this community spirit which makes the North Laine a very special place in which to live.

In October 2007 the NLCA put on a wine tasting event hosted by Pokeno Pies. The event was the idea of Christine Parkinson of 'Cocovino', who gave an illuminating talk and tour of the world's vineyards, an event which I hope we can repeat in the future.

Lottery grant

It was also in October that we heard that we had been successful in our bid for lottery funding to build a contributory website [this site!]. We thank 'Awards for All' who have made this venture possible, something which will make it easier for local residents to express their views on local issues and also to give their memories to the 'Reminiscence' area of the site. It is to be hoped that, with a website that can act as a forum to stimulate debate on local issues, the NLCA can better represent the views of local residents.

Farewell to Sara and Mark

On a personal note, as I come to the end of two years as Chair, our joint Secretaries for the past four years come to the end of their term. I would like to extend my warm thanks for everything they have done for the NLCA and the local community in that time. Prior to me becoming Chair, there was no Chair in place and Sara Bragg and Mark Erickson chaired the meetings and also did all the secretarial work required. Without their commitment the NLCA might well have folded. Since I have been Chair, I have been reliant on their support and advice, for which I am very grateful. They have both developed ideas like the Postcard Competition and the Parents Network, which have demonstrated the ability of the NLCA to constantly move forward. I hope that they will continue to be able to contribute to the NLCA in years to come and wish them good fortune

A summary of the achievements of he NLCA in 2007-8

-    We have met 11 times (every month except August). Our meetings are open to all and allow any resident to bring concerns and have their say.  We have invited appropriate representatives from local groups and others to talk at these meetings, and held our usual annual social in December.

-    We have produced 6 issues of the North Laine Runner, distributed free to every household and shop in the North Laine.

-    We have responded to all relevant planning applications, with a view to maintaining the interesting and diverse character of the North Laine as a conservation area. We have been particularly active on local issues such as applications for change of use (especially resisting loss of retail and workspace to cafés or restaurants, which we see as undermining the 'mix' of the North Laine).

-    We also respond to licensing applications. We have helped to publicise these to those living in the immediate vicinity and as far as possible we have represented residents' concerns at licensing hearings, whilst also aiming to maintain constructive relationships with the applicants.

-    We have kept up good relations with the North Laine Traders Association. We are also members of Living Streets, the Brighton Society, National Council of Voluntary Organisations, Community & Voluntary Sesctor Forum and the Friends of Pelham Square.

-    We have represented North Laine residents on various committees and at many events, such as CAG (Conservation Advisory Group), and have attended several conferences and meetings of the Community & Voluntary Sector Forum.

-    We attended the inaugural meeting of the New England Quarter residents' association to offer support.

-    We distribute a 'new members' pack' to people who move to the North Laine, via our Street Representatives.

-    As mentioned above, we have held social events such as the wine tasting evening given by Cocovino at Pokeno Pies in October. We have also supported street parties in Over Street and Tidy Street to celebrate 'In town without my car' day on 23 September 2007.

-    We have a number of special interest groups within the NLCA, including a Theatre Group, a Parents Network, and now a new Web Group.

-    We made successful bids for funding, including to the Lottery for our new NLCA website, and we supported bids to the Council for the street parties.

[Previously published in the North Laine Runner, No 191, March/April 2008]