Campaigners against a tower block being built on the old Sackville Hotel site were given reassurance by planners before a meeting this evening (Thursday 17 March).
Liz Hobden, planning policy manager at Brighton and Hove City Council, told the council’s Policy and Resources (P&R) Committee: “We’re looking at buildings between six and eight storeys high. That is the guidance that is going to be applied.”
She was responding to a question by Conservative councillor Andrew Wealls who was due to attend the Hove Seafront Residents Association meeting at The View, in Kingsway, at 7.30pm.
Councillor Wealls asked for clarity about the extent of the tall buildings zone on Hove seafront.
He spoke as the P&R Committee debated the City Plan as members recommended that the council adopts the plan – a blueprint for the future of the area.
The housing association Hyde withdrew its planning application last Thursday (10 March).
Council leader Warren Morgan and his Labour colleague Councillor Gill Mitchell thanked everyone involved in bringing part one of the City Plan to fruition after many years.
Work in earnest began in 2005 on what was then known as the Core Strategy but a government inspector urged the council to plan for more homes. So in 2011 work started on what is now called the City Plan part one.
Work on part two is under way and will include detailed work on specific sites, including the allocation of housing numbers. There are hopes that it could be concluded in 2018.
Councillor Mitchell praised her political rivals Councillor Carol Theobald and Council Phélim Mac Cafferty for their contribution this far.
Much of the work was led on the political front by Councillor Mac Cafferty when he chaired the council’s Planning Committee – until last May.
He has previously acknowledged that while the detail in particular is often not headline-generating work, the City Plan is vital for the future of Brighton and Hove.
It is intended to give developers and residents a clear idea about where building can take place and what type of building is permissible.
Much of the wrangling even recently – with government-appointed planning inspectors – has been over the amount of housing needed in Brighton and Hove.
At the P&R Committee meeting this afternoon (Thursday 17 March) at the Brighthelm Centre, opposition Conservative group leader Geoffrey Theobald said that the plan was important to balance the need for new housing with maintaining open space.
Councillor Theobald added that he was concerned about what developers might bring forward for open spaces including the “urban fringe”.
The work on part two will give politicians, property developers and people living locally a much clearer idea.
In the meantime, Hove seafront residents were gathering to plan their next move.
“We’re looking at buildings between six and eight storeys high. That is the guidance that is going to be applied.” Liz is on another planet.. BHCC knows this is not viable. Do FOI request for internal meeting minutes.