NEWSLETTER - AUTUMN 2009
(View previous Newsletter here)


KINGSCLIFFE SOCIETY EVENTS

Talks - Change of Venue - Dorset Gardens

Sunday 18 October ~ Jackie Marsh-Hobbs: Brighton Station

Sunday 8 November ~ Ian Gledhill: Pantomime

Sunday 24 January ~ Malcolm Dawes: Recent Developments in Brighton & Hove

Enclosed with this newsletter are details of the forthcoming lectures programme. We hope to host at least two talks in addition to these, and will give details in the winter newsletter if not before. Please note that this year’s talks will be held at our customary time of 3pm, but in a different venue: the ground floor meeting room at Dorset Gardens Church, close to the corner of St James’s Street and Dorset Gardens. (Our recent AGMs have taken place in the building’s first floor room.)

The change of location has arisen as a result of Bill & Mary Cooter relinquishing their long held posts as Chairman and Treasurer respectively of the Hampshire Court Residents’ Association, as a result of which room hire is no longer available at the Lodge there on Sundays. Our warmest thanks go to Bill and Mary for all their efficient work, great help and friendly welcome over the many years we have met at Hampshire Court Lodge. We wish them a very happy ‘retirement’.

Dinner. Following the item in our Summer Newsletter, we are pleased that arrangements for the dinner have now been finalised. It will take place on Thursday 19 November. The enclosed booking form should be returned as soon as possible as we have to let the City College know how many people will be attending. Thus far we have reserved the whole restaurant (60 places) which we are usually able to fill without difficulty – plus, often, a waiting list! - for our lunches. By the way, the dinner is not instead of future lunches but ‘as well as’. An evening event affords an opportunity for those members who work to come along, as well as for the regular lunch attendees to have an evening out! It should be an enjoyable occasion. And do bring friends as the event is open to non-members.

The price for the four course dinner of £20.50, including coffee, is the basic price that the College charges for its own dinners – we have added nothing to cover administrative costs. However, there will, as usual, be a raffle, with particularly excellent prizes on offer. The raffle contributes an extra bit of fun to our lunches and dinners, as well as raising funds for the Society. Incidentally, the bulk of the raffle prizes have long been contributed by just one of our members, with welcome additions from only one or two others. If you can offer a raffle prize it will be most appreciated. Please do contact the address given on the booking form about this.

Meeting with Ward Councillors. This meeting, referred to in the last Newsletter, has not been forgotten. We are in the process of finding a suitable venue and date (the latter not being straightforward with six councillors involved!).


MADEIRA DRIVE LIGHTING

Members walking east along Marine Parade or Madeira Drive in the evening may have been struck by two very strong beams of purple lighting projected from the side of the public toilet huts between Peter Pan and Yellowave. Also, and rather more publicised, a row of blue uplighting has been installed in the Madeira Terrace arcade, in the section to the east of the Lift. The Society would be interested to know a little more about the process whereby new forms of lighting appear here, especially as the terrace is a listed structure. Various council directorates and their partner organisations appear to have been involved in the planning, selection and construction of the latter. We noticed, when coloured lighting was proposed for the interiors of railway arches on New England Road, Preston Road and Beaconsfield Road, that consultations took place involving conservation checks. However, as far as we can tell, this did not occur in the case of either of the Madeira Drive fixtures. Needless to say, we would be very interested in any plans for the extension of street lighting further east.


PAVEMENT OBSTRUCTIONS

We were pleased to be able to report in the Summer Newsletter on the policy that the council had adopted aimed at controlling and reducing pavement obstructions. It would be interesting to hear from members as to what improvements they have seen, if any, in our East Cliff area. The writer of this piece can only say that so far as St. James’s Street is concerned there appears not to be much in the way of improvement and in several instances – not least at the western end - a worsening of the situation. Since that earlier report we have learnt that the council has set up a Scrutiny Panel of councillors to look into the whole question of pavement obstruction. Minutes of one meeting of the Panel indicate that shortage of enforcement staff is a problem. Also, an RNIB representative, speaking to the Panel, conveyed their stance that there should be a complete ban of A-Boards through the City, as there is in Churchill Square. It was pointed out, and this was subsequently acknowledged by a Trader representative, that there is no knowledge of any research to the effect that A-Boards increase trade – although anecdotal support is forthcoming. The Panel is chaired by Councillor Sven Rufus who can be contacted via the council offices at King’s House, Grand Parade, Hove BN3 2LS or e-mail sven.rufus@brighton-hove.gov.uk


SPEAKING OF PAVEMENTS…..

Concerns have been expressed by society members over the state of pavements in the area. Unevenness, cracking and dislodging are common problems in many parts of Brighton and Hove, and are sadly commonplace in our own area. However, conservation areas require additional care in the materials and workmanship employed in pavement design, maintenance and improvement. Stonework on the promenades has already gradually been replaced by asphalt or suchlike surfacing. In recent years patches of this material have appeared at random points along the north side of Marine Parade. Recently a Kingscliffe member counted more than forty incidental and apparently arbitrary disruptions or disjunctions in the sequence of paving style on this stretch. Since then, members in the Marine Square area have voiced dismay at some of the flagstone replacements and concrete substitution for the square’s distinctive kerbstones.


SOUTH DOWNS NATIONAL PARK

The latest information from the South Downs Campaign is that the signing of the confirmation order is expected very soon. The final boundary will then be known. The inspector’s report from the reopened inquiry was submitted to Defra on 28 August. Meanwhile consultation on the size and make-up of the national park authority will end on 9 October. The purposes of the authority will be to ensure the conservation and enhancement of the natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage of the areas and to help improve public understanding and enjoyment of the areas.


CYCLING – POLICE DAY OF ACTION

The police recently undertook another ‘day of action’ in an attempt to control the cyclists who speed the wrong way down the one-way St. James’s Street and/or cycle on the pavements. It is the aim of the police to do this periodically in an effort to ease a potentially dangerous situation. The Local Action Team (LAT), a sub-group of the St. James’s Street Area Action Group, is strongly behind the police in this and has unanimously supported an application for funds to have sturdy metal notices installed in the street informing cyclists about the legalities. This action is no way negates the recognition that responsible cycling is to be encouraged for both environmental and personal health reasons

By contrast to the LAT action, those of you who read The Times may have seen an article in the issue of 17 September 2009 which indicated that the government is considering excluding all cyclists from having to adhere to one-way systems, and in the first instance is allowing a pilot scheme to take place in the London Borough of Kensington & Chelsea. If the news report is to be believed the aim, apparently, in allowing people to cycle both ways, in the face of on-coming traffic, is to encourage people to give up their cars, or to use them less, and take to cycling instead. Frankly, the writer of this piece is not persuaded by that argument and prefers to back the actions of our local community in trying to control the situation. Anyone got any views? For example, if you would give up your car in the event of being able to cycle both ways along a one-way street then do let us know.


BUSES & ST. JAMES’S STREET

Local buses are probably used by very many of our members. Apparently there have been some complaints that they speed along St. James’s Street and, as a result of those complaints, Simon Burgess, Chair of the local Action Group, has contacted Roger French of the Brighton & Hove Bus Co. Mr. French is looking at the possibility of extending into the Street the 20 m.p.h. limit on buses which already exists from the Clock Tower to the Old Steine. Further, we understand that an option of making the whole street a 20 m.p.h. zone is being looked at, as it is for other parts of the city.


COMMUNAL BINS

Please continue to let us have your views about the recently introduced communal bins. This will enable us to maintain our conversations with local Councillors. Again, please contact our Secretary.

Thank you to members who have already provided feedback, following our appeal in our last Newsletter.


STREET PARTY - ST. JAMES’S STREET

Over the last few years, and after the Pride Summer Festival in Preston Park, some of the side roads around St. James’s Street are closed to accommodate a street party.

Before this year’s event, the Society met with party organisers and the Police to ensure that local residents are able to gain vehicular access to their properties and garaging facilities, during the festivities.

The Society also told the organisers that local residents do not feel that they have been consulted sufficiently, during the various planning stages of the event.

This year, while access to residential properties and garaging facilities was mostly maintained, we have reports from some members that access was denied on the second day of the event, Sunday 2nd August ’09.

In preparation for next year’s event, the Society is keen to meet organisers and the Police at the start of the planning process, and ensure that local residents are fully represented.

Accordingly, we would like to hear your views about the event. Please forward your comments to our secretary. Contact details can be found at the back of this Newsletter.

We understand that their may be a desire to transfer the event to Madeira Drive. Something to follow-up…


ALCOHOL DISORDER ZONE (ADZ)

One of our members, Trevor Scoble, has taken the initiative in trying to get the St. James’s Street area designated as an Alcohol Disorder Zone (adz). The possibility of establishing such a zone is rooted in law, but as yet there is none anywhere in the country. Once an area is designated as an ADZ licensed premises in that area are levied to pay towards the cost of extra policing. The cost per establishment is not expected to be crippling and the benefits for premises, residents and for control of the night time economy generally could be considerable. At its September meeting the Local Action Team for the area agreed that the consultation with the relevant authorities should take place as an initial step in the process towards an ADZ. Cllr. Ben Duncan has taken the issue to the police on behalf of the community. Your Kingscliffe committee at its September meeting has backed these moves. If things progress then we will distribute to members in the area a form which will comprise part of the consultation process. The response from the authorities at the idea of an ADZ is not exactly encouraging but the matter is being pursued nonetheless. More anon.


PUBLIC NUISANCE

The Prevention of Public Nuisance is one of the four licensing objectives contained in the 2003 Act, and widely used by objectors to licensing applications. There is no narrow definition of ‘public nuisance’ in the Guidance attached to the Act but its para. 2.33 indicates that public nuisances relates to ‘a few people living locally’. Last year such a view was denied in a court case elsewhere, the judge preferring a definition of Lord Denning that public nuisance had to involve a large section of the community. That decision was subsequently taken to Judicial Review in the Westminster High Court where the presiding Judge upheld the view that ‘public nuisance’ need only involve ‘a few people’. It is possible that the matter may now be further considered via the Court of Appeal. Meanwhile, in our experience, and thankfully, Brighton & Hove City Council as licensing authority seems to reflect the stance set out in the official Guidance.


PLANNING

Some of the current and approved applications in or affecting our area include:

34-36 St. George’s Road - application BH2009/02048 for change of use from office to physiotherapy clinic is under consideration. This would utilise a currently empty office space on the first floor of the building.

Legends Hotel, 31-34 Marine Parade - a roof mounted air conditioning plant including the re-positioning of 2 air conditioning units and noise reduction measure to fans (retrospective) was approved under officer’s delegated powers on 2 September 2009.

Land to rear of 1-3 Clarendon Terrace - approved by delegated powers on 23 September, the application is for the erection of a two storey dwelling house, with alterations to boundary walls fronting Chesham Place, and excavation and wall alteration within the garden. The conservation advisory group raised no objection as the site is brownfield.

Brighton Marina - the dates for a Public Inquiry, following an Appeal against the Council’s refusal of a major planning application (BH2007/03454)for demolition of the Asda superstore and provision of numerous residential and commercial units, is due to begin on 3 November 2008 at the Brighton Centre (East Wing). Altogether 20 dates between 3 November and 4 December have been set aside for the Appeal.

On the basis of professional legal advice sought especially for the purpose, the Council has recently clarified and amplified the reasons for its refusal of the Application (in December 2008). This was advised to take into account changes in council policy that have taken place since the time of the refusal and also to ensure that the reasons presented at the Inquiry are ‘robust and relevant’.


ENCYCLOPAEDIA OF BRIGHTON

This reference work, written by Timothy Carder and published in 1990 by East Sussex County Council, is currently being updated. Brighton & Hove City Council libraries have commissioned Rose Collis to research and write a revised edition, to be published next spring. Rose Collis gave a talk on the subject during the Heritage Open Days weekend. While the existing content will be largely retained with amendments and additional information, the framework will be different, and more attention will be paid to the social history of the town. From an East Cliff point of view, the encyclopaedia can be valuable for noting generally overlooked names such as Philip Lockwood, borough surveyor and designer of the Madeira Terrace. The role of local surveyors and engineers in the development of Brighton’s decorative design in public areas could perhaps in the future receive greater recognition.


CIVIC SOCIETY INITIATIVE

The Civic Trust, to which we were affiliated, went into administration in April 2009. In June, the Civic Society Initiative was launched by Griff Rhys Jones and Tony Burton (www.civicsocietyinitiative.org.uk), with the purpose of establishing a means to ensure provision of a national voice and support for the civic society movement. A series of open forums is being held in most regions, followed by a survey, a debate and a national conference. All of these are intended to provide opportunities for local groups to express views, share information and discuss how to establish an independent volunteer network where the voice of individual societies and local groups can be strengthened. Our member who attended the forum in London on 28 July reported considerable consensus among the groups represented regarding the need for mutual support and exchange of experience; and suggested that perhaps a national directory of civic societies would be a useful service.


MEMBERSHIP DRIVE

Kingscliffe has sadly lost a few members in the past year or so, including through people moving from the area. Wouldn’t it be good if each household on our membership list could recruit one new member?! Would you ‘have a go’? Information material can be sent to any prospective member (just ask the Secretary for same). Our membership fees of £3 for an individual and £5 for a couple have remained constant for many years – and compare very favourably with other amenity societies in the city. We are a bargain!


VIVIENE CARTER – MEMORIAL CONCERT

In the Summer Newsletter we reported the very sad news of Vivienne’s passing. She had been our social events organiser for several years and a friend to many. Music was a great love of Vivienne’s life and she was a generous financial supporter of various enterprises. As part of the Brighton Early Music Festival the organisers have dedicated a concert to Vivienne’s memory with their ‘love and thanks’. The concert will be held in St. Bartholomew’s Church, Ann Street, Brighton on Sunday 1 November at 7.30 p.m. Tickets can be obtained at the door, or from The Dome booking office. Ticket prices, with concessions in brackets, are as follows: Premium £20 (£18) A £15 (£13) B £12 (£10) or C £6.


HOVE CIVIC SOCIETY – TALKS

Our colleagues in the Hove Civic Society have informed us of their Winter Programme of talks, all of which will be held at Courtlands Hotel, The Drive Hove. Talks are held on a Thursday – but note different times - and there is an admission fee of £2 payable at the door. The three talks taking place between now and our next Newsletter are:

22 October @ 2.30 p.m. - A Week in the Life of the Mayor by Cllr. Garry Peltzer Dunn who was Mayor 2008/9. (This will follow a short AGM).

19 November @ 7.p.m - Tourism in Brighton & Hove; an illustrated presentation by Adam Bates, Head of Tourism, Brighton & Hove City Council.

10 December 2.30 p.m. - Can Buildings Make You Feel Better? – Architect John Wells Thorpe will pose this question, illustrated with slides.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Newsletter compiled by Robert Edwards, David Hainsworth & Janie Thomas
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

David Hainsworth, (Hon. Secretary) 6 Dolphin Mews, Manchester Street, Brighton BN2 1TY
Tel:  01273 600881        e-mail:  david.hainsworth@googlemail.com
Kingscliffe web site:  www.kingscliffe-society.org.uk
Charity Number 291839 Issue No. 3 Autumn 2009 (30 September)