Dealing with issues
I am in the process of preparing remarks for a Licensing Panel, being held tomorrow, at Brighton Town Hall in relation to a new wine bar in Portland Road called 'The Vault'.
Many residents have contacted me because they are concerned that as the premesis is close to mainly residential streets, there could be disruption in the neighbourhood at closing time. Residents have agreed for me to be speak on their behalf and I am drawing on the concerns expressed in preparation for the hearing on Thursday.
Yellow Lines
The new parking scheme for Westbourne Ward, has been 'lined up' by Council officers but residents in a number of neighbourhoods have made representations to me about the impact of double yellow lines in their roads and across their driveways.
My Ward colleague, Councillor Denise Cobb, and I are in the process of arranging a meeting with the Chair of the Environment Committee and officers to discuss the matter and to put forward the representations made by residents.
Denise and I will report back to residents on this matter as soon as we can.
Monthly Newsletter
Denise and I produce a monthly Ward Report which we circulate to residents who have expressed an interest in receiving it. The reports are about two or three pages in length and raise local issues rather than political matters.
If you would like to go on our email list please let me know by contacting me at:
We will not 'spam' you in any sense and if at any time you wish to stop receiving the information, just let us know.
Planning
The Ward has a number of planning applications being considered at the present time. I take very seriously my representative role and so when I start to receive representations about planning matters I always like to go along and have a look at the site or building as I think it gives a much better picture of what is going on.
Current applications include, the conversion of an industrial unit in Sheridan Terrace into flats, the demolition of a workshop and the erection of a house to replace it in Cowper Street and the redevelopment of the Westbourne Hospital site on New Church Road.
Each of these is controversial in its own way - overlooking affects the first, the size of the house proposed is important to the second and the knock-on effects of parking is relevant to the third. I am going to speak at the Planning Committee on the first, I've discussed the second with Council officers and I'm gathering residents' views on the third at the present time.
If any residents want to comment on these or any other issues, please feel free to do so by emailing me at:
The Vault - decision
Yesterday I mentioned that I was attending a hearing today regarding the licensing application for a new wine bar in Portland Road (located at the junction with Raphael Road). The premises used to be an HSBC bank and a number of residents have been in contact with me from Raphael Road and other, neighbouring streets, expressing concerns about possible noise and other problems from the change of use.
Under Licensing Laws the Council appoints a Panel of Councillors to consider such issues. The Panel consists of three Councillors and they are supported by legal and other staff. The applicants are allowed to make representations to support their application and then interested parties are allowed to raise other points. Questioning then follows and the Panel then retires to come to a view.
As I say, I represented the views of residents and raised several questions with the applicants. After the hearing, the licence was agreed but with conditions on issues such as measures to ensure noise reduction, the time an outside area would need to close (10pm) and the times that bottles could be disposed of because of the noise they make.
I will now write to residents who have been in touch once I have the official notification from the Council.
Planning
This afternoon I am due to go to speak at the Planning Applications sub-Committee because the Committee is due to decide on a planning application in Westbourne Ward. It relates to the redevelopment of a building in Sheridan Terrace into flats. These days a lot of planning decisions are delegated, which means they are determined by officers if certain rules apply. I asked for this one to come to the Committee however, because residents have expressed their concerns to me about potential for loss of light, loss of privacy and general reduction in amenity and the planning officer wishes to approve the application.
I shall be attending to give the views of residents and I shall have three minutes to put their case.
I will report back once the decision is known.
Sheridan Terrace - Planning decision
I mentioned yesterday that I was representing residents in speaking at the Planning Applications sub-Committee regarding the proposals to re-develop an industrial unit in Sheridan Terrace in Poets Corner.
Residents in Tintagel Court were very concerned that their privacy would be compromised and there would also be loss of light.
I gave evidence to the Committee, but the Councillors serving on the Committee decided to agree the application.I am in the process of reporting back to residents.
Double Yellow Lines - Parking Scheme
Following extensive and concerned representations from residents, I discussed the issue of the double-yellow line markings with senior Council Highways officers and the Chair of the Environment Committee recently.
The concerns I have received involve disquiet about the length of many double-yellow lines and how they impact on the availability of parking and also double-yellow lines over driveways.
Following the meeting, which Denise also attended, I forwarded a letter to residents he received from the senior Council officer present, which said that the double-yellow lines around junctions and along stretches of road would be reviewed immediately with a view to increasing the parking available if possible. The double-yellow lines over driveways would be reviewed as part of the review which begins after the schcme has been operating for six months.
The scheme is due to go live on the 11th September.