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  • "
    Fight Back wrote:
    ray ellerton wrote:
    Funny how it was rejected as a site for a new Albion ground a few years back on environmental grounds, citing badgers nesting there....but now its ok for the Greens to propose housing be built there...
    No it wasn't - it was rejected because the owner wanted to charge too much and also wanted permission to build commercial buidlings as part of the deal.
    And here's ther text from an article at the time ( note no mention of badgers ! ).

    The owners of Toad’s Hole Valley would be prepared to grant a substantial part of the valley for a football stadium for Brighton & Hove Albion but they expect planning permission in return for a business park on the rest of the site. Otherwise the land carries a £4m price tag for the Albion. Toad’s Hole Valley is one of several sites that the ODPM has insisted should be revisited as potential
    sites for the stadium. The owners are of the opinion that it could be over £8m cheaper to build in the valley rather than the preferred site at Falmer.

    But Brighton & Hove Albion are firm in their views that Toad’s Hole Valley is not suitable because, being sandwiched between two fast moving transport routes, it has access problems which make it
    unsuitable for a football stadium. The A27/A2083 roundabout to the north of the site operates at, or close to, capacity and the Club questins whether it could accommodate match day traffic. Also the close proximity of Falmer to East Brighton and the Universities of Sussex and Brighton make it eligible for grant assistance that Toad’s Hole does not."
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Should eco-homes be built on Toads Hole Valley in Hove?

2:50pm Tuesday 10th July 2012 in News By Tim Ridgway , Local government reporter

GREEN LUNG: Toads Hole Valley GREEN LUNG: Toads Hole Valley

Battle lines have been drawn over the potential development of a green space.

Brighton and Hove City Council’s planners have identified Toads Hole Valley in Hove as a key place to provide homes and other facilities for the growing area.

The triangular 47 hectare site, which borders King George VI Avenue, the A27 and Downland Drive, has been included in the draft city plan, which will guide development in the city until 2030, as a place to build.

But with hundreds of residents campaigning against the plans to build on the “green lung”, the inclusion in the key document is unlikely to be simple.

Time is now running out for others to have their views before the consultation closes on July 20.

Council leader Jason Kitcat said: “Land for development in Brighton and Hove is scarce and we want to make the best possible use of this site.

“As privately-owned land, the only way we can influence the future use of Toads Hole Valley is through the planning process and that’s why your views are so important.”

In the document the council recommends the site is used for an eco-development following the “One Planet Living” principles of a reduced carbon footprint.

This includes 700 new homes, half of which will be family sized, a new secondary school, work spaces and a gateway to South Downs National Park.

The local authority added it would include community facilities and transport links, as well as making improvements to the Site of Nature Conservation Interest on the western embankment.

Tony Mernagh, of Brighton and Hove Economic Partnership, has previously said developing the site is a “no brainer”.

But Conservative councillor Vanessa Brown said she and her colleague Jayne Bennett had collected nearly 1,000 signatures opposing the plans.

Coun Brown said: “The residents are horrified although I think the majority don’t know how big it will be.

“The biggest concern is the traffic. We all know how busy King George VI gets.

“I appreciate we need to provide homes but I think we should focus on developing the brownfield sites in the city.

“Toads Hole Valley is the gateway to Hove. All those views of the sea will be lost and it’s our last piece of urban fringe before the A27 bypass. It’s our green lung.”

The local authority is holding two consultation events on Thursday for local residents at West Blatchington Windmill in Holmes Avenue, Hove.

They will run from 2pm to 5pm and 6pm to 7.30pm.

For more details or to comment email ldf@brighton-hove.gov.uk, visit www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/comment-cityplan or call 01273 292505.

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