Brighton Society representative's report for 2008/9

Aerial view of old Royal Alexander Children's Hospital

The wider picture

By Sandy Crowhurst, NLCA Brighton Society representative

The Brighton Society, on which I represent the NLCA, continues to be watchful about developments in the city.

Major proposals

Due to the current economic situation quite a few major proposals, such as the Marina, Black Rock, Lewes Road Barracks and the Brighton Centre, are uncertain. The King Alfred proposal to redevelop the site is now defunct, but the Council has promised to spend some money on the facilities - at least to tidy it up by removing some ugly parts. The redevelopment of the Sackville Trading Estate (which was dismissed at a Public Inquiry last year) has been launched with a new plan, which is much improved. The proposal to demolish the old Royal Alexandra children's hospital and rebuild as flats, that was rejected by the Council, will be heard at a Public Inquiry on 12-15 May 2009. There is yet another new application for Medina House and again it is very high at 16 storeys.

Proposals by local colleges

City College have confirmed that they do not intend to dispose of the Connaught Centre and will continue to maintain it. Their major proposal to redevelop the site adjoining North Laine does not look very promising, however, as the major funders, the Learning and Skills Council, have placed all college applications on hold, so at the time of writing this report I am unsure of the outcome.

There has been much debate about the Varndean College proposal to demolish and rebuild, and the Brighton Society has been working hard to prevent this from happening. However, the Council approved the application on 25 February 2009, subject to many conditions.  The Council also approved BHASVIC's application for part refurbishment and new-build last year. Each college has to raise a percentage of the whole cost and therefore some plans might not materialise.

Neglected buildings

The Council keeps a register of 'Listed Buildings at Risk', some of which are empty and in poor condition. These include Marlborough House, the Gardner Arts Centre, Patcham Place (last used by the YHA), and the wellhouses at Preston Manor and Stanmer Park, as well as quite a few others.

Good news

The Birdcage Bandstand is currently being restored to a high standard and will be painted with the original colours and with the dolphins highlighted in gold.

More information

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

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