Tag Archives: Conservation Advisory Group

Environment

Local developments

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Jim Gowans, WHCA’s rep on the Conservation Advisory Group, assesses local developments….
SQUEEZED OUT

As more and more permissions are granted in the West Hill Conservation Area for existing garages to be converted into dwellings and as the City Council announces the reduction of on-street parking to make way for re-cycling bins let us hope that front gardens either here or in the outer neighbourhoods of Brighton are not to be further sacrificed by being made into hard standings for vehicles as pressure to find car parking spaces increases. A recent application concerns Clifton Street where two one bedroom flats are proposed to replace the lower ground floor parking lot.
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Environment

Building Planning Matters

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Jim Gowans, WHCA’s rep on the Conservation Advisory Group, assesses local developments…

Buckingham Lodge, Buckingham Place

Neighbours have been dismayed to see that work has now begun on the construction of an additional storey to this uninspiring 70s block of flats, which is adjacent to the West Hill Hall in Compton Avenue. Despite local opposition, permission to build six one bedroom flats on top of the existing three storey block (which contains 18  two bedroom flats) was granted in 2008 and renewed last year. A planning inspector had previously noted that the existing building was “prominent”, “uncharacteristic of the majority of buildings in the conservation area” and “visually intrusive”. These were hardly reasons, it would seem, for adding a further floor on top! The height of the new building will now exceed that of the buildings on either side and be above the existing trees.
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Letters

Letters to The Whistler

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Dear Editor
I should be grateful if, through your journal, I could express my thanks to the taxi driver who picked me up on 3 July at the garage near Hove station after I had severely twisted my knee and brought me home to West Hill. I paid for my journey but in fact, the driver had just knocked off and this was an act of kindness. He came from the Streamline taxi company.

Norma Hayworth, West Hill

Dear Residents
WHCA is fortunate to have two representatives on the Conservation Advisory Group, who work together in the interests of West Hill, Isla Robertson and Jim Gowans. The CAG objectives are to act as a reference group to advise the Council on the implementation of the Conservation Strategy, on major planning applications or Council proposals affecting Conservation areas, Listed Buildings and on the development of policies for the protection of the historic built environment. You can contact Isla and Jim through The Whistler or by writing to them care of WHCA at the West Hill Hall. Another distinguished local resident, Robert Gregory, is also part of the CAG Group, representing the Brighton Society.

Sylvia Alexander-Vine, Chair