Neighbours of arson-hit site say it’s unsafe

The neighbours of a site set on fire three times in the last year have raised concerns about unsafe it is.

The owners of Kicks Martial Arts in Lewes Road say just last month a teenage boy fell through the roof of the former car showroom in Lewes Road.

The following week, last Tuesday, arsonists torched one of the buildings on the derelict site, next to Gladstone Terrace. Another arson attack took place last July, and Kicks say there was another fire there last October.

Brighton and Hove City Council says it is going to write to the owner of the site asking him to make it more secure – and presentable from the outside.

Owner John Blankson was granted permission to build a four-storey building including flats and a retail unit there in 2020, but these plans were never progressed.

In 2021, Southdown Housing Association applied for planning permission for a similar scheme, intending to use the flats for supported housing – with the intention of buying the site if it was granted.

But although provisionally granted in 2021, the application was withdrawn before negotiations over a financial contribution finished.

Tiffany Williams, who owns Kicks with Chris Kent, said: “The derelict site is an area for concern and an eyesore.

“We are regularly aware of people wandering in and out of the back exit. A couple of weeks ago I told two young teenage boys who were around the back of the site to get out, and waited until they’d left.

“They were messing around and one had fallen through the roof so his friend was waiting for him to climb out. Both were ok but I told them how unsafe it was, and to not go in there again.”

She says the derelict site also affects their business as many people think Kicks, which used to also operate from the site, is also closed.

When there’s a fire, they have to evacuate and even once they’re back inside, people still cancel training as they think the traffic will make it too hard to get to.

If a fire takes hold, it can also take a couple of days for the smell of smoke to leave their building.

She said: “It would be nice if something was able to be done with the land. It obviously doesn’t add to the appeal of Lewes Road.

“There was another interested party in 2023 after Southdowns Housing Association but this also fell through.”

A council spokesperson said: “We are concerned about the condition of the site at 186-187 Lewes Road.

“We have visited the site and will be writing to its current owner to make clear our concerns.

“In particular, we will be asking them to ensure that the site is secure and to post suitable keep out notices on the hoardings.

“We also feel the owner should do more at the front of this derelict site to make its impact less intrusive on its neighbourhood.

“We always try to work constructively with property owners to rectify any problems with their properties.

“But we do not hesitate to take appropriate enforcement action when owners fail to engage with us.

“The national Health and Safety Executive can take action against property owners who do not satisfactorily secure their sites.

“If the public see people playing or loitering on the site, they should report it to the HSE at: https://www.hse.gov.uk/contact/tell-us-about-a-health-and-safety-issue.htm ”

Mr Blankson was approached for comment.