November 10th 2008 - meeting minutes

Loaves and Fishes sculpture by John Skelton, Brighthelm Church and Community Centre

Photo by Peter Crowhurst

City College project managers presented their plans

By Lynne Arnold, NLCA joint secretary

Introduction

New members were welcomed.  Apologies were received from Sgt Belfield, Margaret Daly, Ian Davey, Lizzie Deane, Valerie Kippax, Christine Prior, Gabrielle Villermet.  23 people were in attendance.

The Minutes for 13 October were accepted.

Environment

City College Planning Application

Peter Crowhurst, Chair NLCA, had sent an email to the Council's Planning Team stating that we would be discussing the application at the November meeting of the NLCA and that we would be making a submission afterwards.

Maggie Deacon, overall Project Manager and Charles Blunt, Pelham Development Project Manager gave an overview of the plans and, in responding to some of the objections already received, explained that:

• Daylight and overshadowing reports are available upon request.
• 'Rights of Light' assessment report will be available in the next week or so.  Residents who are affected will be contacted, and offered the opportunity to get independent advice.

Concern was expressed about what guarantees there will be that Phase II will proceed as per the outline plan, and what restrictions are being put in place in the sale of the Trafalgar and Cheapside buildings.  Maggie stated that the college needed the teaching and residential space, and that they are seeking to put restrictions on the sale of these properties.

The meeting voted on the issues that were identified by Barry Leigh, NLCA Planning Coordinator:

• AGREED [18 / 0]: We want to support the college in the redevelopment of this site.
• AGREED [8 / 7]: That we consider the proposed buildings to be too dense and too high...
• REJECTED [5 / 8] ... and overbearing on the North Laine
• REJECTED [6 / 8] that the plans did not respect the grain of the North Laine
• AGREED [16 / 0] We request that the outline permission restrict the height and bulk of any new developments on the Trafalgar and Cheapside building sites to match the existing buildings, as well as respecting and referring to original buildings eg. St Bartholomew's Church.
• AGREED [13 / 4]: We request that any new residential properties must have their own parking provisions on site and no additional permits can be issued.

Other applications

The meeting agreed not to comment on:

• Block K, Brighton Station Redevelopment
• The meeting agreed to object to the roof light on 30 Queens Gardens, as it is against conservation area guidelines.

Licensing

No applications for variations or for new licences had been received by the Council.  In response to a question about the Brighton Tavern, it was Roy Skam's, Licensing Coordinator, understanding that the Brighton Tavern's 'smoking area' is legal, however this is a very grey area in the legislation.

Simon Wolpin from InnBrighton Ltd, who own six pubs in the area introduced himself and asked that if any resident has a problem with one of their pubs they contact him directly on swolpin@innbrighton.com or 550000.

Reports

Runner

The collection day is planned for Thurs 27 Nov - to be confirmed; Gay Philips has agreed to take over the advertising role from Paley O'Connor from Jan 09.  Residents are encouraged to take up the offers put forward by traders.

Brighton Society

Currently discussing the Marina planning applications and supporting the council against the appeal regarding the Royal Alexandra Hospital redevelopment.

Police

There has been an increase in reported anti-social behaviour in September.  The police will be holding a  street surgery on 10 December - see notices around the area.

North Laine Trading Association

Kevin Daly was nominated as the NLCA representative on the NLTA.

Living Streets

Currently considering a report on 'Shared spaces' eg New Road, and traffic problems.

Website

The end of award report has been submitted, and we have nominated the site for the Digital Awards South.

Social events:

Christmas social

Food will be arranged by Sandy Crowhurst, Margaret Daly, and Ruth Goodall.

Christmas raffle

We need to get a few good prizes for this, so any suggestions or contacts welcome.

Photo competition

It was agreed to have one if someone will arrange it.

Theatre Group

Details for next year are on the website if you are interested.

Any Other Business

• The meeting agreed not to support Brighthelm's request for a donation this year, but did agreed to give £50 to the Martlet's Hospice.
• Residents who are interested in responding to the draft Libraries Plan were urged to do so.
• All residents are encouraged to attend a public meeting: 'What next for London Road and the Level' on Thurs 20 Nov 7.30 - 9 pm at Calvary Church, Preston Circus.