Planning and Environment Coordinators' report for 2008/9

Barry Leigh

Sandy Crowhurst

Still a number of major applications

By Sandy Crowhurst and Barry Leigh, NLCA Planning & Environment coordinators

During the past year the NLCA Planning and Environment coordinators have looked in detail at all the planning applications for North Laine as well as applications for those adjoining it and major ones outside it.  We continue to represent North Laine on the Conservation Advisory Group (CAG). Gabrielle (Villermet) moved out of the area and had to stand down after many years of sterling service. We thank her for her many years of help. Sandy has now taken over the role, working with Barry.

Conservation Advisory Group (CAG)

CAG (on which Sandy represents NLCA) consists of a range of representatives from conservation areas in Brighton & Hove, plus the Brighton Society, Regency Society, Royal Institute of British Architects, Hove Civic Society, Sussex Archaeological Society and representatives from Brighton & Hove City Council. CAG meets every three weeks to look at major applications affecting conservation areas and their comments go to the Brighton & Hove Planning Sub-Committee for their consideration.

Democratic response to plans

The NLCA is different from many amenity societies in that its response to plans is entirely democratic, with most of the applications being discussed at our monthly meetings, which are open to all residents.

Major proposal from City College

With the downturn in the property market the number of planning applications has reduced but despite this there have still been a number of major applications. One of these is the proposal for the redevelopment of CityCollege, on which we have had a number of presentations and meetings. The major funders, the Learning and Skills Council, have placed all college applications on hold, so at the time of writing this report we are unsure of the outcome.

Redevelopment of London Road

Another major issue for the area is the potential redevelopment of the Preston Circus end of London Road by St James' Investments (aka 'Bright New London Road').  This will have a detrimental affect on small local traders as well as an increase in traffic and will, it is felt, be a very destructive influence on this part of the city. We have been monitoring progress on this issue and await the Council's Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) that will refer to all of London Road, including redevelopment of the Open Market.  The 'Another London Road' group (ALR) is campaigning for a better vision that will support local shops, without traffic congestion.  They made representation at the Council's January Cabinet Meeting with a 5-minute speech which was widely applauded and will do the same at a forthcoming Cabinet Meeting for Enterprise, Employment and Major Projects.

Other applications

The GB Liners development is in progress. Their latest application to demolish the existing warehouse/storage site and replace it with offices facing Blackman Street is more acceptable now that it has been scaled down.  The Queensberry House refurbishment, which backs onto Frederick Street, is also in progress. There is no current application for the vacant site on the corner of Portland Road and Church Street.

Licensing

We have monitored the various licensing applications and with the help of Roy Scam have attended a number of hearings. We should be very thankful for Roy's help. We are disappointed that some pubs have non-environmentally friendly outside heaters, although we recognise that this has happened since the indoor smoking ban came into force.

Communal bins

Our weekly refuse collection is soon to be replaced by communal bins that will be placed in most streets.  It is likely that they will be installed during April.

Gas and water works

It is expected that traffic disruption in North Road will last until the autumn. Southern Water held meetings with the NLCA and NLTA (North Laine Traders' Association) at the beginning of this year and we are appreciative of their excellent communication.

And don't forget... 

Residents are reminded to look out for planning applications that might affect them. These are published weekly in B&H Leader, available at both Brighton and Hove Town Halls (they are outside, on boards) and are on the Council's website. Plans can now been seen online and this has helped in not having to go to either Brighton or Hove Town Hall to see all the plans. We only have to go now where the scheme is too large to see online. We hope that others will look at plans which affect them and comment to both Brighton & Hove City Council and to ourselves.

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