Westbourne Hospital
My Ward colleague, Councillor Denise Cobb and I have been consulted over the future of the Westbourne Hospital site which is located at the New Church Road end of Sackville Gardens and Westbourne Villas.
The aim of the redevelopment of the site is to demolish the present buildings and build some new flats for shared ownership and some new care facilities.
Denise and I attended an exhibition about the scheme at St Philips Church and residents seemed generally in agreement with the scheme but concerns were expressed about the design of the building and the number of parking spaces.We are continuing to pursue these matters and we will report back when we have more information
Neighbourhood Renewal
I have been attending a recently created Neighbourhood Forum based around the Clarendon and Portland Road areas. My colleagues from Wish Ward also attend, as well as one of the Goldsmid Councillors.
Recent discussions have taken place about improving Stoneham Park and issues relating to the environment in the area.
Seafront
I continue to keep an eye on the seafront and I am raising, on a regular basis, concerns that are expressed to me by local residents.
Rough sleeping, always-on street lights and the condition of the shelters have been recent issues.
South east of Westbourne parking issues
The south eastern end of Westbourne has had a parking scheme in place for some time having been introduced in November 2003 as a reaction to the problems caused by overspill from the Central Hove parking scheme.
During our regular walkabouts in the Ward to see what issues need taking up, Denise and I have received a number of issues raised with us about the scheme.
I spoke to the Environment Committee in September to put forward the concerns that residents have raised. These include the availability of visitor parking permits and the hours of operation of the scheme, especially when compared, in general to other areas around the city and particulalry in parts of Hove.
Following my representations, I was told that the concerns being expressed will be considered when the Westbourne extension scheme is reviewed.
Advice bureau
Denise and I hold the first of our two monthly advice bureaux on Saturday. This will be at the Talkshop in Tamworth Road and will run from 10am until 11am. No appointment is necessary. Our second bureau will be held on the 11th October at Hove Museum on New Church Road and will run from 5pm until 6.30pm. Again, no appointment is necessary. If you wish to email me about any issue, my email address is as follows: brian.oxley1@mac.com
Sackville Hotel
A number of residents have been in touch with me over the past few days regarding the future of the Sackville Hotel site. There are rumours circulating that the site will have a block of flats built on it.
Denise and I have both said publicly that we want to see a building of a similar style to the former hotel on that site because that would be in-keeping with the area and would fit in with the conservation area.
I am in touch with the Planning Department to find out what's happening and will report back as soon as I have any firm information.
Recycling
One of the issues that is cropping up in the Ward recently has been people's desire to recycle but are finding it difficult to do so because their properties have not got the kind of storage needed for the boxes involved. I have raised these issues wth Cityclean, as many residents have told me they are happy to make alternative arrangements for their refuse collection so they can be involved with recycling efforts.
If you have a problem in this area, or would like to raise any other issue, please let me know. You can email me as follows: brian.oxley1@mac.com
Graffiti
A number of green boxes in Rutland Gardens and nearby have been hit by graffiti sprayers. I have reported this to the Council and will watch for them to be cleared. I am aware of other graffiti problems in the area and so will be making a list to forward to the Council.
Crash barrier - Sackville Road and New Church Road
Sackville Road and New Church Road are both major arteries in the city. Where they meet at the busy junction of New Church Road, Sackville Road, Hove Street and Church Road is the boundary of Westbourne Ward and Central Hove Ward.
Over recent days I noticed that one of the crash barriers had been damaged but I am happy to report this has now been replaced.
Sackville Road - street lights
The western side of Sackville Road is located in Westbourne Ward and I noticed that the street lights were out on both sides of the road on Sunday and that there was still a problem when I came home from a meeting last night. I have asked when action is to be taken on this matter as the lack of lighting creates a significant 'well of darkenss' in that part of Hove.
Sackville Hotel
Denise and I are shortly to write to around 500 residents in Westbourne Ward to let them know the latest information that we have about what is happening in relation to the Sackville Hotel site. We understand that a planning application is unlikely to be received until the New Year and before any decision is taken a public exhibition has to be held so that residents can give their views.
The letter is being finalised and when it is ready I will publish it on this blog.
If you would like to contact me on this or any other issue, please email me at brian.oxley1@mac.com
Westbourne Street - traffic matters
Westbourne Street is divided in two by the Portland Road and both parts of the road, north and south of Portland Road have traffic issues affecting them at present.
Westbourne Street (south) is a one way street, with access from Westbourne Gardens and exiting on Portland Road. Residents are telling me that some motorists are going down the street against the one-way flow. This is not only dangerous in its own way but this part of the street is an 'L' shape and it is not always easy to see a car before it turns to head north toward Portland Road.
In addition, Westbouorne Street (north) has a Co-op located on the corner where it meets Portland Road. Often the traffic get very congested at this point and makes turning in and out of Westbourne Street and Portland Road, very difficult.
I am writing to the Council's Highways Department to see if anything can be done about these two issues, affecting this road.
Sackville Road and the Pembrokes - lighting
The street lights continue to be out in Sackville Road and parts of the Pembrokes.
I understand from the Council that the problem is caused by EDF, the mains network provider, changing a sub station in the area. The Council is chasing the matter and as soon as I have more news I will post it here.
If you would like to contact me on this or any other issue please email: brian.oxley1@mac.com
Sackville Road and Pembrokes - lighting
Lighting in Sackville Road has now been restored. Following the length of time it took to get the lights on again I shall be making enquiries of the Envrionment Department as to how the problems might be resolved more quickly in future. It took nearly a fortnight to get the street lights back on again.
Sackville Hotel site
Denise and I have recently written to around 600 residents in the Sackville Gardens and Kingsway area regarding the Sackville Hotel site. Many residents are concerned as to what kind of building may go in place of the hotel.
Denise and I received a number of representations recently following the circulation in the area of a leaflet calling for a more traditional building to be erected. This coincided with our own view and the concerns that had been expressed to us by residents.
We sent out a letter, I will post it on here shortly, asking for support for a traditional building but we have said to any resident who favours a contemporary style, that we will make the Council aware of these views as well.
If you would like to make your views known on this issue, please email me at: