Brighton Society representative's report for 2007/8

Neglected bandstand to be restored

The city's watchdog

By Sandy Crowhurst, NLCA Brighton Society representative

The Brighton Society, on which I represent the NLCA, continues to be vigilant about developments in the city, particularly with regard to the expansion of the Marina site and the King Alfred site - the latter being granted planning permission subject to many conditions.

Major proposals

Other areas of interest have included the Connaught Adult Education Centre in Hove (which may be sold as part of City College's redevelopment plan), the expansion of Varndean High School, a newly built Varndean College, Medina House on the seafront (proposed tower block), the Brighton General Hospital scheme to redevelop the area, and improvements to the Sackville Trading Estate. The proposal to demolish the Royal Alex has just been rejected by the Council.

Neglected areas

Over the years we have bemoaned the gradual deterioration and neglect of the Birdcage Bandstand and its surrounds. However the good news is that restoration will start some time this year. Sadly the condition of Marlborough House continues to worsen.

Success

We were very pleased to hear last May that the Government Inspector had turned down Beetham's appeal for a 42-storey tower on the Station Site. It demonstrated how effective Brighton Society members and North Laine residents can be, as we proved to be a formidable team in supporting the Council.

Links with other groups

The Society has strengthened it ties with other local amenity groups as well as the Georgian Group, the Victorian Society and the Civic Trust. It has also become a member of the Friends of East Sussex Record Office.

The James Gray Collection

The Society successfully raised enough money to sponsor the Old Town volume of this remarkable collection of over 9,000 photographs, now held by the Regency Society, who plan to digitalise the whole collection to preserve them.

More information

For more information about the Brighton Society, and/or if you wish to join, log on to: http://www.brighton-society.org.uk

[Previously published in the North Laine Runner, No 197, March/April 2009]