Weather
Flats bid on historic site is rejected (From The Argus)
Get involved: Send your news, views, pictures and video by texting SUPIC to 80360 or email us.
Flats bid on historic site is rejected
4:00pm Thursday 4th December 2008
Controversial plans to demolish a landmark Victorian building and replace it with 150 flats have been thrown out by councillors.
People in the public gallery cheered as Brighton and Hove City Council’s planning committee rejected proposals for the Royal Alexandra Children’s Hospital site in Dyke Road, Brighton.
A second planning application to demolish the current buildings, including the landmark former hospital, was also overwhelmingly refused.
At a meeting at Hove Town Hall yesterday councillors rejected the proposals, with nine voting against, three abstaining and none supporting the plans.
Councillors said they wanted the developer, Taylor Wimpey, to look further into the possibility of retaining the hospital building as part of any new development.
Councillor Paul Steedman said: “Some applications leave me lost for words and this is one of them. There are a cacophony of reasons why we should reject this one.”
After the meeting, Roger Amerena, the chairman of the Montpelier and Clifton Hill Association, said: “This is very good news. We expect the developers to go to appeal, which will give us an even greater opportunity to put our case for the retention of at least some of the original buildings across.”
Officers had recommended both applications be approved, saying the updated Taylor Wimpey development would make good use of the land and the design was appropriate for a conservation area.
The scheme includes 149 flats, a GP surgery and pharmacy, 66 basement parking spaces and 222 cycle parking spaces.
Heloise Brown, of The Victorian Society, said: “We are delighted councillors have voted to prevent this wonderful hospital building from being demolished.
“It is an important part of the history of Brighton and a great asset to the character of the town. This wonderful landmark also enhances the historic conservation area in which it stands.”
The council received 99 letters objecting to the scheme.
Almost 150 people had written in support of plans to relocate the Montpelier Surgery, currently in Victoria Road, to the Royal Alex site.
A spokesman for Taylor Wimpey said: “We are extremely disappointed by the decision.
“The officer’s recommendation had been to support our plans, which were the result of two years’ hard work in consultation with the council.”
Do you agree with the councillors' decision? What should happen to the old Royal Alex hospital site? Tell us below.
More Brighton News stories
- Couple recovering after M23 car crash
- Disgraced Sussex vicar could have been part of international scam
- Sarah's Law to reach Sussex this autumn
- Man convicted of harassing Worthing vicar
- Gatwick Airport travellers face delays
- Roman-age skeleton dug up in Chichester
- Disabled man scalded to death on Sussex holiday
- Investigation into Bognor flat fire
- Sussex schools snub academy option
- Fresh appeal for witnesses over Sussex man's crash death
Your Say YourArgus
BrightonLawyer, Brighton says...
4:33pm Thu 4 Dec 08
Fercri Sakes, Hove says...
4:47pm Thu 4 Dec 08
harwood, Brighton & Hove says...
5:12pm Thu 4 Dec 08
Actually, I supported the latest plan simply because if you actually look at the design, it is actually rather elegant, and much more in character with the surrounding buildings than the current one!
Fair enough people don't like change, as is evident with complaints about the King Alfred, i360, Brighton Marina, etc etc etc, but if this city is not to become a dated backwater, it's about time we all grew up and smelt the coffee especially with reported revenues for shops way down, tourist staying in hotels down by around 9% (as reported today) and a slowdown everywhere, some good news on investment in the city would be very much welcomed!
No doubt it is again the people in the posh flats, and expensive houses around Dyke Rd complaining, and yes, I live very close by too and see the hospital most days, I wouldn't miss it if it were replaced.
Arther Daley, all over the manor says...
5:38pm Thu 4 Dec 08
Fercri Sakes wrote:more than likely will become derelict then fall into disrepaer, in steps Wimpy (no not the hamburger firm)
What normally happens in these situations is that the buildings 'mysteriously' catch fire, leaving no choice but to demolish it. I really hope that doesn't happen.
bibble, London (but visit Brighton regularly) says...
6:11pm Thu 4 Dec 08
1. They bought it speculatively without planning permission. Too bad. Some you win, some you lose.
2. Modern buildings are nearly always a lot uglier than the older buildings they replace.
3. Building a load of ugly modern flats will do nothing to encourage people to visit Brighton. Absolutely nothing. The only people who would gain from this "investment" in Brighton are the speculators (see point 1).
4. It is an attractive building. Some people, like yourself, don't appreciate that.
NoWaySeriously, Hove says...
6:36pm Thu 4 Dec 08
harwood, Brighton & Hove says...
6:59pm Thu 4 Dec 08
bibble wrote:With regard to your point 4, I live one road away from this building (unlike you), and I think its extremely ugly, as the independent district valuer said in his report, it has been so mucked about with, that little remains of what was originally built, the top floor has a god awful extension which cuts into the structure of the original building, and a lot of the frontage ISN'T original either, and yes I do appreciate good design having an 'proper' architecture degree amongst others thanks very much.
Well, harwood (5.12 pm), I disagree with a lot you have written. 1. They bought it speculatively without planning permission. Too bad. Some you win, some you lose. 2. Modern buildings are nearly always a lot uglier than the older buildings they replace. 3. Building a load of ugly modern flats will do nothing to encourage people to visit Brighton. Absolutely nothing. The only people who would gain from this "investment" in Brighton are the speculators (see point 1). 4. It is an attractive building. Some people, like yourself, don't appreciate that.
Just because a building is old doesn't mean it's worth saving, especially when the latest proposed development is aesthetically very pleasing.
Now go away back to your smokey dump, London!
Jonathon, Hove says...
7:07pm Thu 4 Dec 08
mark newman, worthing says...
9:28am Fri 5 Dec 08
Although often unpopular, Planning officers are their to submit their evaluations on planning matters only, and it is expected that councillors listen to their recommendations.
As the reports of the planning officers in this instance were ignored, there will now follow an appeal, which the local authority will have to pay for, as they ignored their officers report, and on appeal, the scheme will be supported, because of the planning officers original view that planning should be granted.
Andrew999, Newhaven says...
9:45am Fri 5 Dec 08
BBBrighton, Brighton says...
10:59am Fri 5 Dec 08
freddo, Brighton says...
12:29pm Fri 5 Dec 08
10p, Brighton says...
2:44pm Fri 5 Dec 08
davyboy, abingdon, oxon says...
9:05pm Fri 5 Dec 08
Fercri Sakes wrote:like the west pier!!!!!!!!
What normally happens in these situations is that the buildings 'mysteriously' catch fire, leaving no choice but to demolish it. I really hope that doesn't happen.
Your sayYour Argus
Add your comment
Register for a FREE The Argus account and you can have your say on today's news and sport by adding comments on articles we publish. The best comments may even get published in the paper.
Please register now or sign in below to continue.
The Royal Alexandra hospital building had been earmarked for demolition
Local Advertisers
Local Information
Enter your postcode, town or place name
Hove person, Hove says...
4:30pm Thu 4 Dec 08