Council chiefs were urged to consult people in Whitehawk before deciding what to do with a building that it plans to buy.
Labour council leader Nancy Platts said that there would be a consultation as talks continue with the current owners.
The call was made at a meeting of Brighton and Hove City Council at Hove Town Hall this afternoon (Thursday 24 October).
Community campaigner Daniel Harris welcomed moves by the council to buy the Valley Social Club in Whitehawk Way, Brighton.
The site has been earmarked for up to 28 council flats as well as community space if a deal is agreed.
Mr Harris said: “The Valley Social Club has been a staple of the Whitehawk community for generations, starting as a shack, and with the help of the local community who helped to fundraise we have the large community building which is standing today.”
He said that more than 10 trustees resigned in 2015, leaving Conservative Councillor Mary Mears – a trustee for more than 20 years – and two others.
“The building has been inaccessible to the local community.
“I support the council buying this asset. Can the council confirm the completion date and price paid for the Valley Social ClubMr Harris said: ?”
Mr Harris added: “It is a massive issue in the area and one of great concern as we have a neighbourhood plan going around.
“I ask the council to put the housing on hold and speak to the public first. There is a need for community space in the area.”
The social club is the home of Whitehawk and Manor Farm Community Association and was bought from the neighbouring St Cuthman’s Church. The council owns the car park.
Two weeks ago (Thursday 10 October) the council’s Policy and Resources Committee agreed to buy the premises.
Councillor Platts said that the council was in the process of buying the site but, as the process was not complete, she could not say how much it would cost.
She added: “As a ward councillor, I am aware of the need for community space and the need to improve it.
“I have had it written into the report that there should be consultation with the community. The objective is to secure the site for the community in the future.”
A report to the Policy and Resources Committee said that the social club had had fewer bookings in recent years as some services had moved to the Whitehawk Community Hub and library.
Many organisations that previously used the venue have moved to other venues.
I would love to see a social club on the estate even under the new flats I would
Love to run this for our community I tried to open the valley back up with a petition of a lot of people’s signatures from the estate my plans was put in front of the committee that looked at it but refused my plans I was later told that my hard work of
Plans ideas wasn’t even looked at by the committee upset !! I have lived here 47 years and I have a big family I work within the school and I work in st cuthmans church plz help us find a club to get old people socialising again as they don’t have nothing else a club for all our children to come together with there parents with activities going on throughout the year dinners for the elderly at a cheap rate themed nights getting the community involved so they say let’s get whitehawk talking again !!!
Can you email me, id like to hear more about this please. Daniel@survivorblog.co.uk
I think we as a community should STOP this and try to get it open again for the people of Whitehawk and manor farm 😡
Can you email me, id like you to be involved Daniel@survivorblog.co.uk
Let’s hope the Community Space can involve re-opening the neighbouring foodbank’s storage facility. Since we were given notice we are having to move food around by volunteer’s cars and pay double for our new rented storage space 5 minutes away. info@thewhitehawk.foodbank.org.uk
I would like that. This is a vital service at the moment. We should all come together to discuss will be facilitating a meeting soon and will inform you
Please whatever we do don’t build flats there!!! I live right next door to the social valley center and if we build the flats, I’ll be disturbed with construction for 2 years, the parking on the street is horrendous already with house owners not being able to park, it will ruin ou veiw of our house!!!! The crime rates will go up also. Why can’t we keep it as it it and build a soft play area for the kids and a nice cafe where everyone in the community can meet up?
Thanks for your feedback. Please email me and i will keep you informed on a resident meeting i want you there. daniel@survivorblog.co.uk
Why not take the schools away as well Whitehawk hasnt got much left Leave our social club alone it’s used for so many things in the community!
@sandra how could you say that??? Whitehawk has a lot as it is and kids need an education!!!
We have much less assets for the community than other areas and the community almost never have the ability to sustain themselves. We have so much talent and commitment in this community its time we ruse up and defeat this illegal asset grab. Email me daniel@survivorblog.co.uk
If they could have minimal housing built and a new community centre within that it caters for all .extra housing is needed within the town .
Bring back the Valley social club, Whitehawk is already overpopulated why build more flats here, I understand we need social housing but do we need more in whitehawk? A decent social club is what’s needed to try and get people in our community together. Loved it under George and Gene.