Now a North Laine cinema . . .

Coming soon to the heart of Brighton's North Laine, "Dukes at Komedia" a new 3 screen cinema, screening the best of art house, independent, foreign and mainstream cinema. With a mezzanine cafe bar, and the famous Komedia live venue/cabaret/comedy club remaining downstairs.

Work is beginning over summer  with a view to be screening by December.

The much-loved Duke of Yorks at Preston Circus will be refurbished and continue in action.

Previous post; Komedia to become a cinema?

Saltdean Lido Campaign - local activism at its best

An article in Guardian Professional by Robert Ashton, social entrepreneur, business author and big society troubleshooter, heartily approves the Saltdean Lido Campaign led by Rebecca Crook. 

Previous post - Saltdean Lido - Conran letter

The new National Planning Policy Framework

First readings of the new National Planning Policy Framework published today seem to provide encouraging news for several heritage assets currently at risk in Brighton. The PDF of the document can be downloaded from here.

Section 12, page 30 "Conserving and enhancing the historic environment", has the following statements:-

129. Local planning authorities should identify and assess the particular significance of any heritage asset that may be affected by a proposal (including by development affecting the setting of a heritage asset) taking account of the available evidence and any necessary expertise. They should take this assessment into account when considering the impact of a proposal on a heritage asset, to avoid or minimise conflict between the heritage asset’s conservation and any aspect of the proposal.

130. Where there is evidence of deliberate neglect of or damage to a heritage asset the deteriorated state of the heritage asset should not be taken into account in any decision.

132. When considering the impact of a proposed development on the significance of a designated heritage asset, great weight should be given to the asset’s conservation. The more important the asset, the greater the weight should be. Significance can be harmed or lost through alteration or destruction of the heritage asset or development within its setting. As heritage assets are irreplaceable, any harm or loss should require clear and convincing justification. Substantial harm to or loss of a grade II listed building, park or garden should be exceptional. Substantial harm to or loss of designated heritage assets of the highest significance, notably scheduled monuments, protected wreck sites, battlefields, grade I and II* listed buildings, grade I and II* registered parks and gardens, and World Heritage Sites, should be wholly exceptional.

London Road Coop and the 'Local List'.

It is encouraging news that at the Cabinet meeting on March 29 (for planning, employment, economy and regeneration) the proposal to add this building to the Local List will be considered and hopefully approved.

The Brighton Local List was originally designated in 1987 and included in the 1995 Brighton Local Plan. Since then it has been periodically updated the last apparently in 2002. There is also a list for Hove  last updated in 1996.

Policy HE10 of the Brighton and Hove Local Plan 2005 states:-

The Planning Authority will seek to ensure the retention, good maintenance and continued use of buildings of local interest. Whilst not enjoying the full protection of statutory listing, the design and the materials used in proposals affecting these buildings should be of a high standard compatible with the character of the building. 

The detailed policies towards alterations and extensions to Buildings of Local Interest are the same as those towards buildings in Conservation Areas and the exterior of statutorily Listed Buildings.

Earlier posts:
Redevelopment of the London Road Co-op.
Plans submitted for the London Road Co-op.

More street clutter on the way . . .

From a City Council press release:-

Twelve one way streets in the North Laine area of Brighton could be opened up for cycling in both directions, under proposals being considered by Brighton & Hove City Council's Environment, Transport and Sustainability Cabinet Member Meeting (CMM) on March 27.


The roads being considered (see list under notes to editors) all currently have 20mph speed limits, and signs and road markings would be used to ensure cyclists and other road users share the streets safely.


Councillor Ian Davey, the city council's Cabinet Member for Transport and Public Realm, said: "The proposals are all about making the whole area more accessible for cyclists, and making it easier for people to get to the shops and businesses in the North Laine. . . . They will also address the concerns raised by local residents and businesses regarding cyclists who use pavements and twittens, by permitting people to cycling legally on the street."


He added: "A lot of people already cycle in both directions along these one-way streets, putting in the necessary safety measures of signs and road markings would help make sure all road users are aware of the shared use."

 . . . Presumably this is just to satisfy some bureacratic mind somewhere and let cyclists go on doing legally what they do anyway. No one in the North Laine, including motorists, seem to read road signs.

See: English Heritage - "Save your Street".
From the archive:- "Down with seafront & other signs."