NEWSLETTER - WINTER 2009/2010
(View previous Newsletter here)


A Happy New Year to all our readers.
May it be a prosperous one for you all, and for our Society.




KINGSCLIFFE SOCIETY EVENTS

Talks. Enclosed you will find a notice giving details of our two upcoming talks. Both invited speakers will be very well worth hearing. Do make an effort to come along and support these events on Sundays 24 January and 21 February at Dorset Gardens Methodist Church .

Meeting with Ward Councillors. Also enclosed is a notice giving details of a meeting for Kingscliffe Society members to hear from and discuss with ward councillors. All six councillors have agreed to meet us on Saturday 27 February – at Hampshire Court Lodge. These have always been very worthwhile meetings in the past and we look forward to a similar fruitful sharing on this occasion. We do hope to see you there!

Annual General Meeting. The AGM this year has been arranged for Saturday 27 March at the Dorset Methodist Church in Dorset Gardens. The meeting will start at 10am, and finish around mid-day.

Our guest speaker this year will be John Barradell the Chief Executive of Brighton and Hove City Council.

This is another opportunity for you to come along and ask any questions you may have about our local area.

Further notification of this meeting will be sent to all members of the Society nearer the time.

Dinner and Lunch. Our dinner held at the Gallery Restaurant on 19 November was very successful and we thank all those who supported this event. The maximum 60 covers were booked although, sadly, two people were unable to come at the last moment. As ever, we were very pleased to have a contingent from the North Laine Community Association and do thank them for their continued support. There was a convivial atmosphere and the whole evening provided a most enjoyable get-together of Kingscliffe members and their friends. Some attendees went home with more than they came with, as many quality prizes were won in the raffle! Our warmest thanks go to Nicholas Worth, who organized the raffle and provided most of the prizes. A sum in excess of £200 was raised for the Society. It is hoped to arrange a lunch for the spring/early summer and to send details with our Annual General Meeting circulation.

Outings. We are sad to say that Sue Paskins is not able to continue arranging our outings to places of historic interest. Unfortunately, despite interesting venues being chosen, the outings over the recent past have not been sufficiently well supported and have been run at a loss. Notwithstanding, we do want to find another volunteer who would be willing to take on this job for the Society as our outings have been an important part of our activities and we would be loath to give them up. Please do contact the Society if you think you might be able to help with this . Meanwhile, we thank Sue for her input over the past two years.


MADEIRA LIFT

Many Kingscliffe members will have seen the current scaffolding around the Madeira Lift building on Marine Parade. We recently contacted the council’s conservation team regarding the situation of the copper dolphin weathervane, which has been missing from the top of the roof for some years. We were advised that the conservation officer responsible had been assured that the dolphin is safe and secure, but that the essential works required on the lift are very costly, and the additional cost of work needed on the griffins as well as for the dolphin is at present prohibitive.


PIER LIGHTING

Just as the marina has a massive impact on the eastern cliff line view from Marine Parade, the palatial Brighton Pier, a grade II* listed building, of course dominates the western sea view. The tall rides and bright lights at the pier-head undoubtedly attract tourists and excite children. Nevertheless, a recent occurrence that has been observed in passing on certain evenings is a reduction of the coloured lighting, leaving in effect an outline of white and gold against the dark sea and sky which, whether by accident or design, may be felt to have lent the structure an uncluttered quality and timeless beauty.


THE AQUARIUM BUILDING – AQUARIUM TERRACES

The Society has been approached by Robert Stuart Nemeth acting on behalf of ‘Brighton Seafront Regeneration Ltd.’

In his letter to the Society and local residents, Robert writes, ‘Behind the Sea Life Centre, there is a large amount of space hidden away out of view, along with a number of vacant modern units on the terraced section of the property.’

Ideas are being sought around how the site should be re-developed. ‘All sorts of ideas have been suggested already, such as a hotel, afternoon tea on the terraces. Others just want somewhere decent to eat. A variety of uses will be possible as there are many different spaces to fill.’

Like Robert, the Society would like to hear your views, and our secretary would welcome your ideas; David.Hainsworth@googlemail.com

Robert also writes for the ‘Latest Homes’ magazine, and you may have seen his weekly column ‘Building Opinions’. Robert’s email address is; Robert@buildingopinions.com

BURLINGTON STREET

The Society has offered support to the residents of Burlington Street, following complaints from members about street cleaning, and the condition of the pavements.

The Society has contacted officials at Brighton & Hove City council, and expect to hear back shortly.

SOUTH DOWNS NATIONAL PARK

After decades of delay, and then many years of debate, research, consultation and campaigning, a South Downs National Park was, in terms of legal process, assured on 12 November 2009 when, in Ditchling, the secretary of state for environment, food and rural affairs signed the confirmation order for the formal creation of the park. Brighton’s Green Ridge in its entirety has finally been included. The park’s formal creation by parliament will be on 1 April 2010. Meanwhile on 10 December, Hilary Benn, the secretary of state, announced in a written statement that there would be a national park authority of 27 members, fourteen representing local authorities, six representing parish councils and seven national interests. The Kingscliffe Society, in common with some other societies in the Brighton area and along with over 160 groups and organisations in total, has supported the South Downs Campaign, in our case since its inception. Key participants in the campaign, including Robin Crane in the chair, have worked extremely hard and marshalled an exceptional range of expertise in pursuit of this cause. The campaign is to be wound up at its AGM in February.


BRIGHTON HISTORY CENTRE

You may have heard that the Council plan to close the History Centre at Brighton Museum and have already served the members of staff with redundancy notices. This closure decision was made at a Cabinet meeting on 9 December 2009. Apparently, Councillor David Smith (the Cabinet member for Culture, Recreation and Tourism) intends, pro tem, to move some of the History Centre resources to Jubilee Library. We are told these will comprise street directories and some computers with other resources being inaccessible to the general public in the interim period. Ultimately, resources will be held in a new building to be called The Keep, which will house also documents from the East Sussex Record Office. This will be a multi-million pound project, involving the County Council, Brighton & Hove City Council and the University of Sussex.

The new building, for which design work is underway, with the submission of a planning application expected in the summer, will be sited at Falmer in Woollards Field. While it may be convenient for some, it doesn’t sound like a place where one could just drop in, as at the Museum. We understand that the time span for the removal to The Keep has been quoted as within two years, although there are those who regard that as optimistic, given the stage of development.

Cllr. Smith has said that there will be ‘no permanent damage to services…(and that) any temporary inconvenience is worth bearing.’ However, those who feel that the city would be poorer in every sense if the Centre closed have mounted a petition on the council’s e-petition web site. The petition urges that ‘the excellent resources and expert staff should remain available in the current facilities to show that the city cares sufficiently about its heritage to make a modest contribution towards facilitating such research’.

The internet link to the petition for those interested in signing it is:
http://present.brighton-hove.gov.uk/mgePetitionListDisplay.aspx?bcr=1

The petition closes on 1 February 2010. At the time of writing nearly 800 people had signed up.

If you wish to express concern about the closure contact Cllr. David Smith and to local councillors, c/o Kings House, Grand Parade, Hove BN3 2LS. Letters to the Argus are also an option.

You can Google ‘The Keep, Falmer Sussex’ to get information about all this.


ALCOHOL DISORDER ZONE (ADZ)

In our last Newsletter (Autumn 2009) information was given about efforts to get an ADZ established, in the St. James’s Street area and further information was promised. Alas, hoped for discussions with the police have not yet materialized. There was to have been an opportunity to take things forward at a meeting of the St. James’s Area Local Action Team planned for 6 January but unfortunately that was cancelled due to bad weather. The meeting will be re-scheduled but not in time for a report in this Newsletter.

Meanwhile, it is possible to give support to this idea by signing an e-petition on the Council’s web site, the closing date for which is end February. Once into the site it is possible, too, to read background information. (The e-petition option is shown on the right hand side of the Council’s home page site.) If you do not have your own computer with access to the internet it should be possible to use one at Jubilee Library, Bartholomew House or Hove Town Hall.

As was pointed out in our last Newsletter, one of the advantages of an ADZ is that licensed premises within such an 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 the control of the night time economy generally would be considerable.

THE WHITE HORSE, CAMELFORD STREET, BRIGHTON

At a meeting of the Licensing Panel in March 2009, the panel heard representations from local residents about the premises that related to amplified music and voice disturbance from Karaoke machines. As a result the Licensing panel decided to remove the performance of live music and recorded music as licensable activities on the Licence, and modify certain conditions attached to the Licence.

The problems with the premises continued, and 12 local residents (8 Representations) had written in supporting a review of the Premises Licence on the grounds of prevention of public nuisance.

At a further meeting of the Licensing Panel in December 2009, local residents again submitted noise diaries and photographic evidence to support their complaints. The decision of the panel was therefore to revoke the licence.

This is an important decision to note, and a reminder that under the Licensing Act 2003, provision is made for ‘Interested Parties’, in this case local residents, to make representations to the licensing panel should it be necessary.


STREET PARTY – ST. JAMES’S STREET - AUGUST 2010

Last year the Society contacted local organisers and council officials about local street closures. This year, the Society is looking to get details of road closures significantly in advance of the party. Additionally, we intend to follow up the point made by party organisers last year, about transferring the event to Madeira Drive.

We expect to publish further details in our next Newsletter.

PLANNING MATTERS

Madeira Terraces – Madeira Drive . On 26/11/09 planning permission was given for ‘typical repairs to maintain the serviceability of the terrace and the sheltered promenade below (Madeira Walk for public access)’. This means structural repairs to cast iron beams, railings, post and panel along the walkway. Demolition of items in poor state will be involved, but the railings, beams, posts to be provided must be painted/finished to match the existing railings, posts and panels (and retained as such thereafter). This is to ensure the satisfactory preservation of this Listed Building and to comply with policy in the Brighton & Hove Local Plan. Further information obtainable from viewing the application BH2009/02129, at Hove Town Hall or via the council’s planning web site.

102 Marine Parade: An Appeal against refusal of applications (BH2008/03096 & BH2008/03083) for this house to be made into five flats has been dismissed. In the Inspector’s view main issues included whether the scheme proposed would preserve the special architectural and historic interest of this grade II listed building and the effect of the proposed cycle and refuse store on the setting of the listed building and on the character and appearance of our East Cliff Conservation Area. There was no issue with the principle of conversion to flats. Among other points the Inspector refers to Planning Policy Guidance Note 15 which emphasises that the removal or alteration of any historic staircase is not normally acceptable. It was considered that the proposed staircase re-siting in this case would have a significant detrimental impact on the architectural and historic interest of the building. The Inspector’s letter can be seen in full on the Council’s planning web site under agenda papers for the 16 December 2009 planning committee.

24 St. James’s Street: This is the boarded-up single storey old camping shop, on the corner with Dorset Gardens. An application (BH2009/02571) sought to add an additional, 4th, floor to the approved erection of 3 floors for residential purposes above the existing property (which has permission for part retail/part A3 restaurant). Bringing property above shops into residential use is welcomed in principle, but some feel this is a floor too far, given much lower properties at the side and rear. It would, too, result in the building being higher than any other in the block. Inexplicably, addresses of those consulted about the application include flats on 1st and 2nd floors of the site, which do not exist! By contrast, the neighboring properties referred to above are not listed in the initial consultations. This was pointed out to the Council. According to its planning register web site, the application is now invalid.


Brighton Marina Appeal. Although not in our conservation area, the proximity of the Marina and its importance to the city as a whole is a matter of concern to us and to individual members living nearby. Following the Council’s refusal of a planning application for a major development (BH2007/03454) the matter went to Appeal. The ensuing Public Inquiry went into a seventh week, with closing submissions by QC’s from both sides made on 16 December 2009. Even so, the Inspector did not close the Inquiry then as agreement still had to be reached between the council and appellants over the Section 106 obligation to be attached to planning permission, should the Appeal be successful. The Inspector will not formally close the Inquiry until the end of his deadline for the completion of the Section 106 matter, which is 5 February. Soon after, he will make known a revised date for the issue of the Appeal decision by the Secretary of State.

CIVIC SOCIETY INITIATIVE

In November the Civic Society Initiative issued its report on the future of the civic society movement. This followed a nationwide survey by the CSI involving an online questionnaire completed by over 400 members of civic societies. Findings from regional forums were added into the report. Some of the main findings of the report are expressed in very general terms, in keeping with the ambition of the report’s title Own the Future. Nonetheless a society like the Kingscliffe is sure to recognise the reference to the diversity of activities undertaken by societies sharing a concern for “place”.

Following its analysis of the findings, the CSI’s main proposals are that the new body should be: campaigning in its outlook; responsive to the needs of societies; “light footed” in its use of resources; and grassroots in its culture and governance. Three main roles are envisaged for the new national body: providing information, support and advice to civic societies; facilitating civic societies to network and cluster together; and being a national lead and voice for the movement which provides inspiration and direction, lobbies on its behalf, and raises its profile and influence. Choices are acknowledged in respect of direct networking and grouping among societies: common ground is seen, for example, in comparable identities (villages, tourist towns, etc) as an alternative to the current usual division in terms of large geographical regions.

The report suggests that the new national body is initially likely to comprise three or four staff, an effective website and a network of volunteers. Finally, it is proposed that the majority of funding for the core work of the new body is provided by civic societies, the fee expected to be between £1 and £3 per member of each society, to support “core costs” of between £300,000 and £400,000. Except for the mention of staffing level, little specific budgeting is offered to explain these figures. For Kingscliffe, the proposal is obviously unaffordable, and we note that in the CSI’s summary, issued in December, of initial responses to the report, the question of funding “attracted the most comment and the greatest diversity of views”. Those views are set out in detail in the summary, but essentially it appears that in order to join the new body many local societies such as ours would have to raise their subscription price accordingly – in our case in effect doubling it in order to receive a full service from the national body.


HOVE CIVIC SOCIETY TALKS

We are pleased to give information about forthcoming talks organized by our friends in the Hove Civic Society, to which we are warmly invited. All talks are held at Courtlands Hotel, The Drive, Hove. There is an admission fee of £2 payable at the door.

Thursday
28 January 2.30 p.m.		 THE INS AND OUTS OF WATER
Local historian Trevor Povey will present the illustrated story of water supply in the coastal area from 1830 to 1974.
 
Thursday
18 February 7 p.m.		 MAKING BRIGHTON & HOVE A MORE SUSTAINABLE  PLACE.
A joint presentation by Helmut Lusser, environmental  consultant and Thurstan Crockett, Head of Sustainability & Environmental Policy, Brighton & Hove City Council.
 
Thursday
18 March 7 p.m.		 WEST BLATCHINGTON WINDMILL – PAST & PRESENT
An illustrated talk by Peter Hill about Hove’s windmill and West Blatchington village, now an easily accessible urban area.

Newsletter compiled by Robert Edwards, David Hainsworth and Janie Thomas

David Hainsworth (Hon. Secretary) 6 Dolphin Mews, Manchester Street, Brighton BN2 1TY
Tel: 01273 600881     e-mail: david.hainsworth@googlemail.com

Kingscliffe Society web site: www.kingscliffe-society.org.uk

Charity No. 291839 Printed at The Resource Centre on recycled paper
13 January 2010