A popular cut-through will be closed off after councillors approved an application to block one end and to restrict access through another.
Brighton and Hove City Council’s Planning Committee reluctantly followed official advice to grant planning permission to the proposal.
Councillors voted by six to one to grant the application to block off a shortcut between School Road and Payne Avenue, in Hove.
The shortcut was created about six years ago when an old office block, Rayford House, was turned into flats now known as the Pinnacle.
Labour councillor Paul Nann, who represents Wish ward, spoke against the application which drew 112 objections. As a member of the Planning Committee, he left the chamber at Hove Town Hall yesterday (Wednesday 4 February) as members debated the proposal.
Councillor Nann said: “The open access currently provided at the Pinnacle has become an integral part of the active travel infrastructure for this area.
“These are in close proximity to a large and popular West Hove Community School. These access points are critical for residents reaching Aldrington and Portslade stations, as well as the bus stops in Portland Road.”
Neil Bernard, a leaseholder at the Pinnacle, which is managed by its leaseholders, reminded the committee that residents appealed against giving the public right of way through the building car park, winning a planning appeal in 2023.
Mr Bernard said: “It is about managing access to the site in a sensible and safe way in line with the planning inspector’s decision from July 2023.
“In that appeal, the inspector was very clear that the council’s previous requirement for unrestricted public access through the site was not justified.
“He removed it because it wasn’t necessary, it wasn’t reasonable and it wasn’t the role of this development to provide a public shortcut.”
He said that the overwhelming majority of residents were keen to restrict access at the Payne Avenue boundary, having experienced anti-social behaviour and bike thefts.
Labour councillor Sam Parrott, who represents Westbourne and Poets Corner ward, said that it was a shame for such a neighbourly area.
Councillor Parrott said: “There is a huge sense of community and lots of people do co-operate and people do live cheek by jowl because these are terraced houses. People are very used to a lot of people walking up and down.
“I find it really difficult. I don’t see a planning reason to turn this down, unfortunately. I will vote for it very, very reluctantly.”
Fellow Labour councillor, Julie Cattell, who also represents Westbourne and Poets Corner and previously chaired the Planning Committee, voted against the application.
Councillor Cattell, a professional town planner, said: “I just feel really sorry for all the young families in Poets Corner who are going to have to walk their kids all the way around along Portland Road to get them to school when they (Pinnacle) could open up for a couple of hours in the morning and a couple of hours in the afternoon.
“I can’t think of a planning reason but I’m still going to vote against it because I feel for all the people in our ward.”
Conservative councillor Carol Theobald, another former chair of the council’s Planning Committee, abstained from the vote after admitting that she was torn by the decision.
Councillor Theobald said: “I feel it’s sad for those people who have to walk a long way around but it’s private land. It’s difficult really. We haven’t got much option.”
Brighton and Hove Independent councillor Mark Earthey said: “On a point of law, we’re going to have to uphold this.
“I call on the applicant to negotiate with local social groups to come to a much more socially aware agreement rather than resorting to the law and courts.”
Bhcc have let local residents down. They should have been firmer with the original developers and demanded a cut through. It was in the original plans, so I believe , but somehow got lost during the development. Local residents have had to put up with years of development and the cut through would have been, and has been, a real benefit. Now local residents must return to going south to head north. It’s crazy. So disappointing.
Really ?? maybe the reprobates can be redirected to hang around outside your home and be made to feel welcome, BY YOU. Always your type trying to create history where none exists. Not your building, doesn’t belong to the scum either.
” The shortcut was created about six years ago when an old office block, Rayford House, was turned into flats now known as the Pinnacle.”
So it’s not an historic ‘right of way’.
If it’s been abused and the ‘way’ belongs to the freehold then I understand their point of view. Also the land freehold is liable for the safety of people using that route.
After the the southern entrance was opened up..why at a later date did they cut an opening on the northern pavement ?
Who asked for that ?