Plans to redevelop Brighton's 'ugliest building' postponed amid 'oversight' (From The Argus)

Plans to redevelop Brighton's 'ugliest building' postponed amid 'oversight'

6:12pm Wednesday 13th March 2013 in News By Kimberly Middleton, Acting chief reporter

A decision on plans to redevelop a building branded the ugliest in Brighton has been postponed.

The demolition of Anston House on Preston Road and plans to build flats and offices up to 15 storeys high on the site was due to be considered by Brighton and Hove City Council’s planning committee this afternoon (March 13).

But the application was pulled from the agenda earlier this week.

Selma Montford, honorary secretary of the Brighton Society, said concerns had been raised about a report on shadowing submitted by developer behind the scheme Urban Splash.

She said a civil engineer and architect, who are members of the society, then conducted their own shadowing report, which found shadows cast across Preston Park would be 30 to 50% longer than the developer’s report had shown.

Gill Mitchell, leader of the Labour and Co-operative Group, said: “I’m rather concerned that the planning department doesn’t seem to have checked this out.

“If where there’s such a big difference in height between the previous and proposed new building, for this question about shadowing not to have been examined thoroughly, I think is an oversight.”

The council’s head of planning Martin Randall said: “In order that everyone can be clear about the potential shadowing effects of the buildings, the applicants have agreed to submit revised information and we’re consulting residents on that.”

Mark Latham of Urban Splash said: “Last week we submitted a further report on overshadowing at Anston House to Brighton and Hove City Council.

“The council have decided that they would like to share this revised information and provide a further period of consultation for residents and statutory consultees to respond.

“Our plans for Anston House still fit within overshadowing requirements.”

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