Argus Alerts – May 2021
Argus Alerts
For the last couple of years one of our members has been writing regular synopses of relevant news items published in The Argus to inform the committee of items of interest on a day to day basis.
As these form a useful historical record as well as being informative (and often include asides which are both pertinent and entertaining), we have decided to post them on the members’ page on the Brighton Society website exclusively for Society members.
Because they represent only the views of the author we make no claims about the accuracy or otherwise of the reports, but trust that the wider membership will find them as informative and entertaining as the committee have over the last 24 months.
The notes often include abbreviations. The commonest of these are:
PMacC or Phelim C Phelim Mac Cafferty (Green cllr, council leader)
ETS cttee Environment, Transport & Sustainability committee
P&R Policy & Resources committee
TECC cttee Tourism, Equalities, Communities & Culture committee
LGA Local Government Association
BADGE Brighton Access for Disabled Groups Everywhere
Monday 31
Page 2. Road closed to chop down diseased trees. Coldean Lane closed for up to 6 days to cut down the ash trees. [Judging by Mill Road it will look like a war zone afterwards.] 20% of all woodland trees owned by council are ash. No alternative, say council, distress and upset but will try to ensure effects kept to minimum especially wildlife habitats.
Page 10 Letters. What a state, says Shan Cuddis of address supplied. What wrong with council? (Although v.g. on cycle lanes) How can we attract visitors. Very high parking charges, if can find a place. No wonder retail having trouble. Portaloos absolutely horrible on once lovely seafront.
Stylist needed, says John Weeks of Dyke Road. Trees in tubs in North Street, were nice, now neglected and dying. Replaced with silver birches, these dying too after a month, no-one think about watering them? Who responsible? Could shops nearby give them a bucket of water every few days? Must have cost £££ taxpayers money. And Steine Gardens turned into scruffy ugly area every Festival time, why not outside St Peter’s, now more suitable. Takes weeks for land to recover. Gardeners work hard, congratulations, but council oblivious to how city looks. But Valley Gardens magnificent. Council needs a stylist, so much could do to make centre look spectacular, needn’t cost a fortune if local businesses sponsor. I’ll work for free. [Doesn’t say what he would do for free]
Page 11 So selfish, says Christine Luffman of Rotherfield Crescent. Re Letter saying weeds in pavement are welcome greenery. City has lots of parks and green areas. Houses in Hollingbury eg have big gardens, mine attracts 30 species of birds [That’s good, I’ve had only 24] Weeds get slippery and dangerous when wet, roots make paving stones rise unevenly, hazardous. Some don’t want broken bones. Give some thought to others.
Page 12 Making greener homes. Out of area – North Lane Newhaven. Developer Humayun Khan finishing off 13 eco-flats with non-stick windows, solar panels and indoor allotment. Grey water recycling system. Source of income in annexes that can be rented out. Can be sealed off. Generate £12,000 poss in first year. Company is Miracles by Design. £330,000, on market soon.
Saturday 29
Page 7 Protest held over layout of roads. Outside Hove Town Hall yesterday, anger at road layout changes and way council is being managed. About 50 demonstrators, demanding removal of cycle lanes. Deliberate road chaos which creates division between road users and is not safe, environmentally sustainable or efficient. Visitors, disabled, contractors now regard city centre and historic lanes as “no-go” areas. Madeira Drive like a war zone. Mr Robinson, a locksmith, says having to turn down jobs in the Lanes as got heavy tools and can’t get van there. And for people living in congested areas as takes more time to get around. Council’s survey on the changes to city streets due to be revealed shortly. Funded by government.
Friday 28
Page 10 Letters and online Dabate: many rude comments on Councillors’ expenses.
No chance says Grant Jackson of Hassocks Close, Eastbourne. Letter re cleaning up Brighton – you have a Labour/Green council, it isn’t going to happen.
What a disgrace says Paul Johnston of Middleton Avenue, Patcham roundabout, visitors do not see any sign of welcome that cllrs like to brag about. Immediate action required to tidy up area.
Page 11 View from the Leader. PMacC says we are having another big city clean-up. Keeping our city clean is about providing a warm welcome to visitors while preventing waste washing into seas and damaging environment. On top of work by volunteers, work continues to keep city tidy and reopen safely. From Monday for a week, huge cleaning programme building on first tidy-ups [tidies-up?] in September and April. Work through night, jet washes, removing graffiti, cleaning bins. Extra bins on seafront and more collections. Masses of litter cleared from A27. Train announcements to tell you to dispose of your litter responsibly. [Then goes on about Covid and free test kits.]
Page 12 New mural will brighten up the sub-station area. NW corner of Wish Park. Last year east facing wall decorated with very bright mural on history of the park. Now agreed with UK Power Networks to do the south facing wall, to commemorate regular visitors. Will also be some plants replacing a scruffy piece of grass.
Page 18 Damage is denied. Protester denies causing criminal damage by spraying pink paint over Brighton Town Hall. 58 years old. Taking part in a climate change protest. Going to Lewes Crown Court on 24 June [must have done a lot of damage to go to Crown Court]
Tuesday 25
Page 3 Paranormal news. If you live in Haywards Heath and think your neighbour has sent a ghost to haunt you, don’t ring the Police as all you will get is reassuring words.
Page 4 Flats plan is mooted for historic mansion. Stanmer House. KSD Group want 10 flats on ground, first and second floors. Seeking pre-application advice from council for change of use. Single storey kitchen wing to be demolished, new two storey extension to make space for apartments and enlarge the communal courtyard area. Affordable housing unlikely to be viable. Build at New Pit Depot in Lewes instead.
Page 6 Duke of York’s cinema is reopening
Page 10 Letters
Whatever happened to the promised clean-up? asks Christine Luffman of Rotherfield Crescent. Just read Steve Bell’s article. If anything, A27 is worse than the A23. What happened to deep clean we were to have? Graffiti to be removed, streets swept and cleaned. What about potholes? Had shock when saw street cleaner – I had asked for this service – we need it on a regular basis. Also need pavements weeded. Parking on grass verges should be stopped. Don’t waste money on stupid expensive schemes such as Valley Gardens. Get a grip in serious situation.
Tourist trap, says John Armstrong of address supplied. All waiting for visitors and tourists to come back. Council doing best to keep them away by making car travel difficult. High parking charges, little free on-street parking and traffic jams due to cycle lanes. Come by train – but for a family of four could cost £100/£130 instead of 5 gallons of fuel at £30. Are many more resorts on South Coast looking for tourists.
Explain yourself, says Sally Ansell of Blatchington Road. Response to View from the Leader [not reported]. Seriously expecting us to believe a word this man says? Call a meeting to explain why ruining the city. Valley Gardens – temporary cycle lanes for fair weather people only. Hove residents need a voice. Promenade desperately needs attention.
Page 12 Residents want action over ‘problem’ roofs. Low quality and inadequate work on city council blocks. Full discussion called for. Failures of brand new roofs and windows. Warranties not provided.
Page 14 Bid for glasses at venue turned down by council. If you order champagne at Shelter Hall, you are going to have to drink it out of plastic. Fears of glass ending up on the beach.
Monday 24
Page 10 Letters.
Bring back City in Bloom says Cllr Dawn Barnett who says she is writing in response to Kenny Lloyd’s assertion that Brighton’s problems are nothing new. [But who is in fact taking the opportunity to back up what her Cons. colleague Steve Bell said about the Patcham roundabout etc] We used to be clean and well kept. People didn’t have to be told to respect the flower beds. City in Bloom encouraged civic pride but Lab/Greens shut it down. [Repeats what Con. Steve Bell said about Patcham, Viaduct Rd and Black Rock] I lived near Cat’s Creep in Roundhill – look at the graffiti now. Greens don’t care [and other political points]
Beautiful Brighton, says John Armstrong of address supplied. As per William Henry Davies, I like to “stand and stare” at magnificent architecture of Brighton. [List of good buildings] Are works of art comparable to what in the Tate. Unfortunately there is now a lot of hideous new modern structures. How lucky we had Prince George and John Nash. I would recommend reading The Regency Society’s web page, most enlightening if you want to know why you should “stand and stare”. [Lyn says he is a member, so what about our web page ??]
Page 12 New garage for buses. Planning ap in for B&H buses to redevelop Conway Street. Need to redevelop the site now rather than wait for wider redevelopment on the cards at some stage. Ref is BH2021/01731
Page 14. Wildlife news. Tadpoles at risk in Preston Park after blanket weed fills pond. They are looking sluggish. Green cllrs say this is normal. But no easy way for the “froglets” to climb out of the pond. Don’t let your dog swim in the pond as anti-flea treatments have an adverse effect on pond life. Image showing thick emerald green sludge covering pond.
Saturday 22
Page 6 Portaloo news: they have blown over again.
Page 11 Tory Talk, Steve Ball. We’ve lost our civic pride and are in a mess. Approach to city by car – Patcham roundabout and welcome sign gone – promises to replant not fulfilled. Viaduct Road planters full of rubbish and neglected. In Hove council mowed down a display of tulips on K Geo VI Ave. Should be putting best foot forward, but has dropped off. City in Bloom competition gone. Local Horticultural Soc. on point of folding from lack of council support. Flowerbeds not maintained. Funding for Patcham in place for years, nothing done. Even funding for art work there. Council has lost its focus. Labour & Greens have (he says) spent 76% of debating time debating eg nuclear weapons and national voting system. Not elected to change the world, but to properly run city.
Page 14 Cheap housing options in city. Average price is £388,739 but can have one bed houseboat in Marina for £115,000 (complete with decking and view of harbour – who’d have guessed?) One bed property in Dyke Road for £120,000 in a popular retirement home, or a two-bed houseboat in the Marina for £126,100.
Page 15 Concerns raised over traffic at supermarket. Aldi. Sea of car parking. Will increase traffic and pollution say Fs of the E. Not suitable for 21st century in a climate emergency. Stand alone stores like this should be consigned to history. V unlikely to be able to get there on foot or cycle. No suitable bus service. Don’t fall for “greenwash” of green roof etc. If a real need for new store, must be more suitable site e.g. more centrally in Toads Hole Valley. But no provision in City Plan.
Friday 21
Page 10 Letters.
Council is crazy to allow this area to be churned up, says name and address supplied. Newly landscaped Valley Gardens has The Warren and Ladyboys there, fencing and equipment destroying all landscaping and pathways. Heavy machinery churning up the grass and flower beds. Typical Brighton, make something better and then wreck it. Well done, council
So many questions, from John Armstrong of address supplied. Who runs Brighton, who holds real power and hold purse strings? Salaried officers who appear to answer to no one or elected cllrs? Who responsible for cycle lanes, i360, unfathomable new road layout, destruction of Madeira Drive? If the former who controls them? Have cllrs the intellectual ability, business acumen necessary? How many have dealt with £££££ budgets, suspect none. They are amateur politicians and managers can pull wool over their eyes. Is that why city in a mess?
Page 11 online Debate. New Aldi. We need to find a better way to design our cities – this cannot be the answer; You mean cities like Oxford, Nottingham, Norwich, York (more) that have affordable park and rides linked to rapid transit into traffic-free pedestrianised centres and consider needs of all and the environment?; B&Hove Fs of the E are strongly opposed to proposed Aldi – find something they aren’t opposed to; Indeed – only time silent was on destruction of Green Wall for “possible” cycle lane – should have been shouting loudest; That whole area should be left as it is.
Page 12 Visit the Hippodrome and see plans to save it. Can visit today. Simon Lambor says wants to see building interacted with as much as possible by everyone in and coming to Bton, has got amazing performance history, performance has got to be a part of that. A great big performance and hospitality venue.
Thursday 20
Page 6 Electric vehicle sales continuing to grow rapidly. 939 licensed in city at end of last year, up from 621 year before. Of the increase 237 were private and 81 business. Overall only 0.8% of all vehicles licensed in city are ULEVs (ultra low emission vehicles). Council installed more than 200 lamp post chargers last summer.
Page 11 Letters. Problems not new says Kenny Lloyd of Norway Street, Portslade. Letters have been extolling Brighton’s past. But back in 1970s got swastika and racist abuse tagging, and National Front picking on everyone. Extreme right wing blighted us then. Cinemas and ice rinks went bust because people stopped using them. Have always been homeless, and it’s worse elsewhere. Homophobia nowhere near as bad. Brighton was a dump back then and has improved over the years. Older readers have selective memory syndrome and don’t remember how bad things really were.
Wednesday 19
Page 8 Sadness as trees have to be chopped down. Hundreds of trees to be cut down, no alternative because of ash dieback. Could cause damage round roads, footpaths and property if left. Around 20% of trees owned by the council are ash. Will try to ensure effects are kept to an absolute minimum especially when it comes to the natural habitats of our wildlife [They took precious little care when they cut everything down up Mill Road in nesting time, it was devastated]. Trees will be left on site – will feed nutrients back into the cycle and avoid suppressing ground flora with layers of wood chip. Also extremely costly to remove. May look untidy but are benefits. Also an increase in elm disease but this can be contained unlike ash disease which carries via spores in the wind and can spread 10 miles in a year.
Page 10 Letters. Help us clean up say the Churchill Square team. May Bank holiday – popular monthly beach cleans back. Sunday May 30, 11 am – 1.00 pm clean from i360 to Ohso Social. Equipment provided but got to register. What’s On page at www.churchillsquare.com And thereafter on last Sunday of the month.
Page 18 Graffiti yob is fined. Sprayed a bus stop and a parking meter in St James’s Street. 31 yr old. Fined £138, £200 compensation, £34 surcharge and £85 costs. (£457)
Tuesday 18
Page 11 online Debate. Four enthusiastic messages about the Hippodrome and the good old days.
Page 12 Blind woman’s walking challenge to help others. This is my close neighbour Margaret Weir who is 86 and walking 1000 paces a day for a week in support of Christian Blind Mission’s Light up Lives scheme which funds sight-restoring surgery in world’s poorest places. Support her on www.justgiving.com/fundraising/margaretweirwalk She’s almost at her target of £2,500.
Monday 17
Cover, page 4. Hippodrome. Restoration taking place. Reporter had exclusive tour. Once planning is approved, it will be home to live events once again. Go along this week and see full proposals – May 19-21. Link given but I think it is already all booked up.
Page 7 Debenhams has finally closed.
Page 10 Letters. Let’s co-exist says Steve Waters of Saltdean. Highway code makes it clear the roads are for everyone not just drivers. All road users to be considerate towards each other. Read about bad accident to cyclist, can see why so many competent adult cyclists feel forced to ride illegally on the pedestrian walkway. Fear for safety of 11 year old. Roads belong to all not just aggressive drivers, let’s follow Code in peaceful co-existence.
Page 12 Cycle lane is not ready. Cyclists warned not to use new lane on south side of carriageway in Madeira Drive as it is “dangerously slippery”. It’s to replace the pavement lane to create more space for pedestrians. Water pools after rain. Water is beading on surface, is impervious, not suitable. Council say still testing it.
Saturday 15
Nil return – first for a long time. Unless you are concerned about the cleanliness of the city’s toilets.
Friday 14
Page 2 Concern raised over safety of cycle lanes [Details of nasty hit and run accident, with cyclist badly hurt on A259] Injured man blasts council on safety of new cycle routes. Used to enjoy safer two-way cycle lane above Hove Lawns, which separated bicycles from traffic. Now have to use new lane in the road. He was not in a cycle lane when struck because of resurfacing works. Lanes separate from traffic safer than bollard partition. “They are taking government money, putting in cycle lanes but not thinking it through properly.” He says other lanes in city are now more dangerous than before. Council say lanes created in accordance with government guidance. A report analysing findings from (a consultation with residents on transport) to be considered in summer.
Page 9 Councillors are selected to lead Labour in city. New joint heads are Cllr Carmen Appich and Cllr John Allcock. To share the role as a united team.
Page 12 i360 set to be back in business next week. Terrifying image of workman on top of the pod – he is harnessed on.
Thursday 13
Page 2 Churchill Square – Debenhams closes on Saturday but New Look will return next month. Topshop gone for good. support your local shops.
No human remains are found after investigation. Anson House site. After a thorough and robust investigation, have found no human remains at the site, say Police.
Page 10 Letters
Why was the seafront clean-up so half-hearted? asks Paul Johnson of Middleton Avenue, Hove. Pleased to see Dukes Mound cleaned up. But as usual, all half-hearted. I noticed discarded temporary hoardings and cones, uprooted bollards, pieces of concrete kerbs left in the road, unswept gutters filled with leaves, road signage poles left unfixed and placed on the grass, much litter because of lack of bins, all in all a mess. Not sure area was better before or after the clear up. Well done Greens for your usual inefficiences.
Wednesday 12
Page 10 Letters
Arrogant cyclists, says D Stewart-Thomson from the Scottish Highlands, no less. Cycle paths are being provided up and down the country yet these louts contribute to congestion and pollution by refusing to use them and take the moral high road as they do. Yes, insurance and toad tax should be compulsory and fines for not using cycle lanes provided. And a little respect and courtesy would not go amiss.
Waste of money says Sally Ansell of Blatchington Road. Today no-one using ridiculous lanes, no-one wants them. Supposed to be temporary. Total waste of money. Build up of traffic causing congestion problems and loss of revenue from the no parking. Disgraceful. Council should be ashamed of themselves. We pay their wages, can’t we sack them?
We’re top class says Ian Steedman of Wakehurst Court, Worthing. Worthing worst resort in Sussex – wrong! All our resorts are top class and attract millions of visitors every year. Rye is not a resort, can’t put it in the same bracket as Worthing.
Tuesday 11
Page 8 ‘Human skeleton’ probe. Rumour has it that there is a human skeleton on the Anston House site. Been there since built in the 1960s. Planned excavation being carried out. If anything found, specialists will determine whether are any suspicious circumstances. [Body of original architect, sacrificed?]
Page 10 Letters. Not a success says Ron James of Portslade. Stanmer Park. £5m spent on it. New and upgraded carparks. Only two parking meters, all others require payment by phone. Signal unreliable, and the two meters do not always work. Tickets not dispensed, or incorrect. Road in appalling state. Know of several regular users who won’t return. Not a success story.
Page 11 View from Labour. Nancy Platts – Together we can really make things happen. [A bit on what recovery will look like – all have a role to play] One of biggest issues I’ve had in postbag this week is graffiti. Lots welcomed undertaking deep cleans of streets, but why so focused in city centre. What about rest of the city. Graffiti and litter serious eyesores, a problem in wards and neighbourhoods across city. Off-putting to visitors and tourists needed to pump many back into economy. Thanks to all involved in tidy up teams and reporting graffiti vandalism and volunteering to paint over it. If we did this all across city, would make city an amazing place to visit. Got to take pride in communities and remain vigilant in face of vandalism and tagging. Power of communities working together cannot be overstated. [More on other stuff]
Page 19 Former surgery site could become homes. Demolished surgery in Bevendean, corner of Aukland Drive. Company that owns the site now in receivership. Receivers have applied to council to drop requirement for a temporary surgery. No demand, and no plans to fund one. Putting off potential buyers. Cllr Daniel Yates suggests council housing on the site. Cllr Gill Williams said the universities were struggling to fill the many purpose built student flats in Brighton since lockdowns started. [Really?? Interesting if true] Delighted if council interested in purchasing land for more social housing. Quite a lot of student accommodation here there and everywhere. I do know there have been difficulties filling them because are so many. Cllr Fishleigh said if no surgery, what is community getting instead? Told too late to impose new conditions now. Voted to remove the restriction, 8 in favour with one abstention.
Monday 10
Page 3 Wildlife corner. Shark video is elaborate fake, say experts. Video of a “shark” swimming just off Hove beach has been dismissed as a fake. Pheew.
Page 7 Aldi plans a giant new superstore off the A27. They now own the Court Farm site at the A27 roundabout with King Geo VI Avenue. Site next to Toads Hole development is ideal. Has come out of the blue. No planning app yet. The holding objection from Highways England on the A27 junction for the Toads Hole Valley development remains in place. Website for the development due to go live today. Leaflets to be distributed to 4000 residents.
Page 8 Mixed reaction to new loos. Absolutely awful. In wrong place. Horrid to look at. Awful to use. Never kept clean. A bloody disgrace. Call for permanent ones. Toilets are always good.
We’re not in New York say councillors as they throw out flats plan. Bobby Zamora’s plans for brownfield site at Wellington Road/Camden Street, Portslade. Ridiculous. Concerns over height and design and lack of parking. Cllrs wrestled with the need for more housing and number of affordable homes. Cllr comments – too high, too dense, lack of parking would add to local problems. Ridiculous height. Beggars belief that in area of extreme parking stress, where unable to achieve 100% non-car owning residents, can consider a development where not guaranteed the promised parking spaces will occur. Cllr Bridget Fishleigh said Looks really horrible, go back to drawing board.
Page 10 Letters Brighton is just a shadow of what it used to be, says Alan Dart of Hove. What is on offer for predicted substantial income from visitors? Dirty pavements with cyclists, electric scooters, beggars, noisy drunks and unlicensed traders. Beach a landfill site. Twenty years ago had 21 cinemas, several theatres, dance halls and a music hall. Sports Stadium with ice rink, no promised replacement . Air pollution less because of trolley buses, was Peter Pan’s playground, swimming pool at Black Rock, now flytippers and travellers camping. Arches an eyesore, Pool Valley worst coach station in the country. Look hard to find a policeman or a toilet. Famous old Brighton has disappeared. Visitors get a shock with parking charges. Been a Brightonian for 80 years, think my generation would agree.
Save our heritage says Ian Steedman of Wakehurst Court, Worthing. Rob Healy’s letter spot on. Unless votes to be had, council takes no notice. Some cllrs not from city so do not understand it. Every council should have someone responsible for heritage. Pleased council not responsible for Hippodrome, dread to think what would look like. Have written to those responsible for new hotel in West Street suggesting any new bar there should be called Sherry’s
Page 11 Tax cyclists says R Hirtle of Peacehaven. Cycle lanes provided at great expense not being used. Had same experience, all cyclists in the car lane. Don’t think red lights and pedestrian crossings apply to them. About time were fined in absolutely refuse to use the lanes. Worst offenders those on racing bikes. Money better spent on filling potholes. Make cyclists over 18 pay tax and have insurance. Taking away lanes causes longer traffic jams, and more pollution. Those who decide these stupid things should take a walk and see chaos caused. Give us back our roads.
Page 14 Restoration work is now revealed. Scaffolding down from Corn Exchange and Studio Theatre. Crane gone. Work continues inside.
Saturday 8
Page 2-3 Election results. The council is now: 20 Greens, 17 Labour, 13 Conservatives, four independents. Hollingdean and Stanmer by-election was a Green win from Labour (Zoe John). Tories held Patcham, new cllr is Anne Meadows.
Page 7 Plan for 5G phone masts on top of building are refused (sic) Unanimously refused. 161 objections. Cllr Wilkinson said was first case he had come across of phone companies seeking to put masts on homes without the permission of residents or freeholders. Need has been met by masts elsewhere. Must give weight to preserving the setting of the listed buildings in CA, duty to protect them. Spokesman for EE said mobile operators were putting more masts on buildings rather than ground sites. Would help meet high demand. The Government has said telecommunications is to be treated as a critical sector as part of new legislation brought in recognising that reliable mobile connectivity is critical in supporting mass home working, emergency services and hospitals.
Friday 7
Page 6 Yet another league table. Worthing is the worst seaside town in Sussex. A survey of 4,000 by Which? Poor old Worthing was the 6th worst in the country scoring only 58%. Brighton got 70% but only 2 stars for value for money. Rye came top in Sussex with 81%. Top of everywhere was Bamburgh.
Page 7 Wildlife corner. A giant African bullfrog named Burger, who will grow to 24cm, is being looked after by the RSPCA and needs a new home. They say he is “a good eater”.
Page 11 Letters. Unfair to motorists says John Armstrong of address supplied. Crawled though city in single lane of traffic while cycle lanes empty. One cyclist was riding in the main road, holding everyone up as unable to pass in single lane system. If I drove in the cycle lane I would be fined. But arrogant cyclist can cause congestion with immunity from prosecution. Is this right? Has council sold all the Mayoral and council cars? Do functionaries now travel to official functions on bikes?
View from the Leader – PMacC. Working hard to create a ‘must visit’ destination. [Bit about places opening up and Brighton Festival] Want to thank council teams who made Bank Hol successful – more collections, temp loos, more bins. Cleaner city centre after 12 nights of deep cleaning, second time this done since I became leader, want it to be a regular feature. Putting £100,000 into graffiti budget, have fast response contract in place to remove graffiti on seafront, have now fined 851 fly tippers and allocated extra £55,000 every year to tackle litter on A23 and A27. We take seriously the challenge to provide warm welcome for every visitor. [More on other stuff] [ No mention of any graffiti vandals being fined]
Page 14 Let’s tackle graffiti says a heritage society as city centre bus shelters repeatedly vandalised. Brighton Society on Twitter. Council losing the battle to protect heritage, public to help catch vandals. Police have passed photos to “the relevant team”. BSoc monitors graffiti, tagging accelerated during lockdown, level of vandalism appalling. Has photographed tags all over city including Old Steine bus shelters and The Dome.
Thursday 6
Page 10 Letters.
Council must seek advice from the right experts, says Ken Norman, Hon. Alderman of Brighton. Green Wall. Astonished at blame game going on in the Green administration. Blindly going ahead with cycle lanes that may affect historic plantations, should seek advice not only from officers, so-called “expert” Green groups, but also experts in management of all historical plantations in our once wonderful city. I am a qualified and experienced RHS horticultural judge and could have recommended someone.
Terrific trolleys says Ian Steedman of Worthing, on June 30 it will be 60 years since said goodbye. They weren’t slow, up Elm Grove easily. [Etc. Plenty of trolleybus enthusiasm and detailed knowledge of routes. ]
Nice and clean says Lara Jay of Eastern Road. Walked along on Sunday and impressed how clean and rubbish free it was. A very pleasant change.
Protect heritage says Rob Heale of Chatham Place. People concerned about attitude of Greens towards our heritage, including culture and social history, important to our city. Lack of commitment to restoring and improving heritage associated with Madeira Arches, Terrace and Drive areas, important to residents and visitors. Demolished Sherrys site, soundproofed and purpose built music venues might have a bearing on our reputation as an important entertainment venue. Grade I listed arches at shore end of West Pier demolished for i360 – which has cost £££££. Also the Cobbler’s Thumb with little or no consultation. It helped to prevent a controversial road widening scheme in the late 1980s/early 1990s. Royal Pav bus shelters neglected, should be improved as part of Valley G scheme. Important to protect heritage, it reflects our shared history, often being multi-cultural. Of interest to visitors. Creates local jobs. This administration needs to respect our local heritage and economy.
Wednesday 5
Page 2 Portable toilets blown over by strong gales ….
Page 10 Letters: Bobby Zamora’s plan is not good for this area, says John Gander of address supplied. As promising as this consortium make this scheme sound, they missed off two words “cha-ching”. [Sic. No idea what that means] Buying up commercial or social ground cheaply and cashing in on private sell properties has to be stopped [Is it a cash register noise?] These consortiums get their way but nobody is challenging the lack of infrastructure required to accommodate swelled population. I speak from experience, I lived in Chadwell Heath where West Ham’s training ground was. They closed community centres, knocked down toilets and garages, pubs, school annexe, playing fields and a local church and rebuilt with a four-storey flats complex. As we left, were laying foundations to install first stage of 250 prefabricated homes on greenfield park area with small lake. No infrastructure alterations made. Please avoid this at any cost, you don’t know how lucky you are.
Page 11 Trolleybus facts from Christopher Tullett of Brighton, prompted by photos of trolleybuses in Saturday’s Argus. It was heading down Ditchling Road, not up [! for heaven’s sake] Trolleybuses ideally suited to Brighton hills. But electricity became more expensive than diesel. [Lots more, if you need trolleybus info, Christopher is your man]
online Debate – 5G masts on flats. “no thought for aesthetics” – the irony – Coombe Lea with others a horrible eyesore; They have to go somewhere, why not Coombe Lea?; A lot of factory buildings look a lot nicer than Coombe Lea, I used to live on The Drive, we thought Grand Avenue a bit of a tip, with exceptions; Not a case of ugly building judgement, would you like to have a mast on top of your building or house without having a say?; If you have a mobile you can hardly complain about where your signal comes from surely?
Page 12 Investigation launched into green wall’s demise. PMacC has approved investigation into why workers cut back the green wall so severely. And a review of how decisions were made to be considered by Audit and Standards cttee. Follows outcry across social media platforms. Not approved by councillors. Focus on how can rapidly scale up work to revive the greenery. Actions being taken. Profoundly disappointed this happened, determined to act to uphold high environmental standards city expects and deserves. Developing future management plan for the whole of the wall, with Building Green. Nick Hibberd has apologised. Excessive, and officers had not consulted cllrs and stakeholders. Will look at whether contractual issues to be addressed or whether planning or wildlife rules broken. Building Green should have been consulted. Report to go to cllrs.
Tuesday 4
Page 6 Council is to vote on 5G phone masts plan. Coombe Lea. Residents demonstrate. To cttee tomorrow. 158 objections. The Conservation Area Group and the council’s heritage team object.
Page 10 Letters. Future’s bright, says Ian Steedman of Worthing. Hippodrome. Lot of work to be done. Brighton v different than was 20 years ago, people dine out, 30,000 students, all possible customers. New hotel in Middle Street. Brighton Festival and Fringe. Great home for the Fringe. Looking forward to seeing Hippodrome back at the top.
Monday 3
Page 8 Row over drinking at big new seafront venue. Shelter Hall. A licensing condition was plastic glasses because of drink related crime in the area and disorder [some would say the licence should not have been granted at all, but the site is owned by the Council]This lowers the tone they say and is deterring a Better Class of Drinker. And plastic waste. Who wants to drink their champagne out of plastic? And lots more on their application to vary the licence terms. The committee will make decision known in 5 days.
Page 10 Letters.
Rolling with it, says Eric Waters of Lancing. Was taken aback in Malta when expected to pay for loo paper sold by ladies sitting outside. Now looks as if will be an entrepreneurial opportunity in city for loo paper sellers along the seafront for feckless tourists who come without their own.
Mayhem and chaos says Joy Sprode of address supplied. When driven along seafront cycle lanes empty and only cyclists were on the pavement causing mayhem and chaos. Ludicrous, nobody wants them. Don’t value roads because don’t pay for them. Should be tested, taxed and insured. If they don’t know how to share or are scared of traffic shouldn’t be there. Remove lanes and make A259 8 lanes, get traffic flowing and reduce pollution. Madeira Drive two-way. Visitors heading off to Worthing where better facilities and spotless toilets. Free park and ride. Hove Lawns from Kingsway to Peace statue unused, turn into a car park for 3000 cars. Valley Gardens would make a perfect park and ride [??? that’s what she says]. Let’s be bold and make Brighton great again.
Alternative view from John Butler of Portslade. Interesting report on council advertising to attract visitors. Should say: cars not welcome, unless pay exorbitant charges, cyclists and campers welcome, pitch tent anywhere. Green spend money on ridiculous ideas, knowing that when not in power will not be enough money to undo misdemeanours, so get away with their travesties.
Page 11 online Debate – on temporary loos on seafront: Portaloos – lovely – smarten things up – would think city had never had to deal with influx of daytrippers ever before, to be caught short on toilet front, though city doing best to put off visitors with war on cars, neglect of heritage and shortage of benches and loos – time to convert the i360 into 24 hr toilet/changing/left luggage locker? – it’s not doing much else these days; Hope they have on site cleaners 24/7 or disgusting quickly – charge 50p; During week cleaned x3 per day, at weekends when busiest x2 – what planet are they on – should be x4 at weekends [That’s enough on portaloos, Ed]
Page 12 Anger over bid to drop plans for temporary GPs. Heath Hill Student Developments, Bevendean. Student flats on site of former surgery, application to relax key planning condition to drop requirement to provide a temporary surgery during construction. Officers advise agree, to cttee on Wednesday. Previous surgery demolished 4 years ago, no pressure on other surgeries resulting. No demand in Bevendean. Residents say otherwise, nearest surgery 2 bus rides away.
Saturday 1
Cover, pages 2,3 Bobby’s high rise. Albion legend’s plan for 126 flats… is 11 storeys high. Large image on cover, 3 blocks one black, one green and one red. Bobby Zamora – a footballer – plans for an acre site in Portslade. Wellington Road and Camden Street, close to harbour. Labour cllr Les Hamilton says over-development, too tall and not enough parking. Site currently used by studios, gym, car wash and parking deck. Offices and 65 flats, 31 one-bed. Phase 2 and 3 are neighbouring blocks nine and seven storeys high, 71 homes, more offices and leisure space. Council granted a previous scheme in 2019 for up to 7 storeys high.
Letters of objection are sent to council over development. Five so far, details redacted. Effect of more cars in area on local businesses in North Street. Commercial area, not residential. To cttee on Wednesday.
Page 4 Some of city could end up under water. Brighton is city most at risk from climate change in the UK with parts expected to be under water by 2100 [that’s not what the last report said, where places to the west were far more at risk] Brighton scored 6.2 out of 8, above Belfast, Cardiff, Exeter and London. Bton scored highly for storm damage and temperature rise. All this from online estate agents Emoov. [Who they? Where getting their info from? I have quoted them previously on this sort of thing] [Is this the same report again? Bits seem familiar]