The Patcham Protest

Objections to Planning Application BH2016/01961 for an out-of-scale barracks-type development in Old London Road have recently topped 100.  This is the applicant's, McCarthy & Stone, third attempt to get approval for this site. 

Objections can be made on the Councils website using this link.

For some background see earlier post:- Patcham problems.

Love our City

A short film featuring council staff talking about why they love their jobs and the city. 

Commissioned in July 2016 as part of a recruitment campaign for three Executive Directors.

Brighton's first Jewish resident commemorated

The side wall of 22 East Street

Today, in an impressive, well-attended, ceremony a plaque was unveiled to Brighton's first Jewish resident. 

Music was provided by the Brighton & Hove Youth Big Band

The Mayoral procession was accompanied by a spirited rendering of "Sussex by the Sea".

Ivor Caplin, Director 250th Anniversary 

A welcoming address by Ivor Caplin was followed by addresses by: David Jacobs, Chairman of the Jewish Historical Society of England; Gillian Merron, Chief Executive British Board of Deputies of British Jews; and the Lord Lieutenant of East Sussex  & Brighton & Hove, who also unveiled the plaque.

Unveiling and the National Anthem

Five direct descendants were present including two from New Zealand making their first visit to the UK for the occasion.

Free Parking in the City Centre.

At the north end of Old Steine lies a 100 yard stretch of abandoned bus lane from an old traffic scheme. It has been occasionally used for parking road-repairing equipment and materials but now lies unused and, what is very rare in Brighton, devoid of any yellow lines or parking restrictions.

The lane can comfortably accommodate about 12 cars parked end to end. It can be accessed from either end, although exiting from the north against the traffic flow is perhaps not to be recommended.

Council gets tough on trailers

Caravans, trailers and other engineless vehicles left stored on roads or pavements in Brighton & Hove could be removed under a new council policy in an attempt to tidy the streets and free up parking spaces.

Kingsway , Hove

It would entail the council invoking already-available powers under the Highways Act 1980.  In a survey 82 per cent of respondents said they support action being taken.

So-called non-motorised vehicles or NMVs are seen as an increasing problem.  Since 2012 the council has dealt with over 400 reports.

Historically the council has only ever removed NMVs using refuse disposal powers.  But this requires them to have been abandoned. Lived-in vehicles are tackled by the council’s travellers team. Until now there has been no policy on vehicles which are neither abandoned nor lived in.

However Section 143 of the Highways Act allows removal of structures from the highway – regardless whether they are owned or abandoned.  Legislation requires the council to issue a notice. After a month the vehicle can be removed.  Costs can be recovered from any identified owner.

Implementing the policy would cost an estimated £5,000 to £10,000 a year.  Costs would be reduced where possible by charging owners for the return of trailers or by selling them.

A report on the matter goes to the environment committee on June 28.