COUNCILLOR Lynda Hyde might like to know the reasons why I accepted the officers' recommendations and voted against granting planning permission for the new Ebenezer Chapel scheme (Letters, July 27) when it came before the planning applications subcommittee on July 18.

I agree a new building is desperately needed for this site. The empty premises have been a magnet for crime, squatting, drug abuse and other antisocial behaviour and this has blighted the local community.

However, I agreed with the officers that the proposed scheme was too large, both in terms of its footprint and its height.

Representatives from the developer and the housing association behind the project spoke to the sub-committee on July 18 and expressed willingness to work with officers to review the scheme and present a more acceptable design.

On that basis I requested a deferral of the decision to allow time for revisions to be made to the plans.

The Tory majority chose to vote down this reasonable proposal, allowing the application to be passed as it stood.

Sadly, not only did Lynda Hyde and her Tory colleagues see fit to ignore the recommendations of the officers, they decided to disregard the considered and professional opinion of our city planners, who have issued firm guidance on the impact that the size of the building will present to the area.

Lynda Hyde and her colleagues were not interested in giving the developers time to review and improve the scheme, to ensure we got the best possible building for the site and, importantly, the local community.

Instead they were content to rush ahead against advice. What a shame and a missed opportunity.

Amy Kennedy
Green Party councillor for Preston
Park and Green group spokesperson
for planning applications
sub-committee,
Brighton and Hove City Council