Controversial plans to demolish a landmark Victorian building and replace it with 149 flats were thrown out for the second time this week. Councillors agreed with campaigners that the old Royal Alexandra Children’s Hospital in Dyke Road, Brighton, is an integral part of the city’s history and should not be bulldozed. But how should we balance protecting our heritage with satisfying the need for new homes?

Nestled just a stone’s throw from the bustling centre of Brighton, the old Royal Alexandra Children’s Hospital is an imposing landmark.

Built more than a century ago, the impressive red brick building was a working hospital for sick children until the summer of 2007, when a £35 million replacement opened in the grounds of the Royal Sussex County Hospital.

The old Royal Alex’s architect, Thomas Lainson, was a local man who also designed the Grade II-listed synagogue in Middle Street, Brighton.

But these days the empty Royal Alex is being slowly vandalised.

Broken windows are dotted all over the site. Squatters have moved in and have had to be repeatedly removed.

The owner of the site, the developer Taylor Wimpey, has employed round-the-clock security guards to safeguard the grounds.

Yet despite its troubles, campaigners clapped and cheered at a packed council meeting as councillors threw out plans to bulldoze the hospital and build 149 flats and a GP surgery in its place.

A second planning application to demolish the current buildings, including the landmark former hospital, was also refused.

Councillors said they wanted Taylor Wimpey to look further into the possibility of retaining the hospital building as part of any new development.

The news was welcomed by campaigners and nearby residents, who said the victory was particularly significant as council officers had recommended approval.

The officers’ views were formed after the council’s conservation committee said it had reluctantly concluded that the hospital building was beyond economic repair.

But architect Graham Towers, a member of the Montpelier and Clifton Hill Association, said: “As far as I am aware the applicant has submitted no evidence that the building is beyond reuse.

“No evaluation has been made of alternative schemes or of the condition of the building and the cost of repairs. Yet on the basis of the district valuer’s report the council has reached the conclusion that the building is beyond economic repair.

“It is my professional opinion that a great deal more evidence would need to be considered to support such a conclusion.

“Apart from any other considerations it must be borne in mind that, until shortly before Taylor Wimpey took possession, the building was fully functioning as a hospital.

“It strains credibility that we should now have reached a point where the building is beyond economic repair.”

The Taylor Wimpey scheme includes 149 flats, a GPs’ surgery and pharmacy, 66 basement parking spaces and 222 cycle parking spaces.

At the Brighton and Hove City Council planning committee meeting on Wednesday councillors said they were loathe to lose such an important building in a conservation area.

Councillor Carol Theobald said: “Everybody loves the frontage of this historic building.

I was there this week and took some photographs of it.

“Why we can’t keep it and work around it I just don’t know.

Until that is an option I just can’t support these plans.”

The Victorian Society is a national charity which fights to preserve important Victorian and Edwardian buildings and landscapes.

Heloise Brown, a conservation officer for the Victorian Society, said: “Taylor Wimpey says it wants to create a landmark building for the site in Dyke Road. The Victorian Society feels strongly that just such a landmark building already exists. The Royal Alex is an attractive, well-designed building that is still in good condition and is an excellent candidate for a sensitive adaptation. It is extremely important to the character of the area in which it stands and was designed to stand out and be a focal point.

“But it’s not just the Victorian heritage that is important with a building like this. There is recent history too. Many people we spoke to felt strongly about the Royal Alex because of the memories that connect them to it.

“We welcome the council’s decision to refuse permission to demolish the hospital and turn down the current building proposals.”

Taylor Wimpey has said it is “extremely disappointed” at the council’s decision.

Yesterday, the company confirmed it they would appeal against the rejection of both applications.

Any appeal would effectively take the decision away from the council as the plans would then go before a Government planning inspector.

But Roger Amerena, the chairman of the Montpelier and Clifton Hill Association, said: “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.”

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