Parking update
In the Westbourne newsletter that is currently being delivered to residents in the Ward, I mention that parking continues to be an issue. One of the problems of businesses and organisations, where people sometimes have to travel by car to reach them, is that when the customer arrives they find it difficult to park nearby to avail themselves of the goods and services they wish to use.
I am talking to the Council's Highways officer about these issues to see if any kind of solution can be found.
Sackville Hotel
Thanks to the many people who are returning the tear-off slip at the foot our Denise's and my letter regarding the future of the former Sackville Hotel site. Earlier this week, I promised to reproduce the letter that we have sent to residents on this blog and please find it below. If you want to contact me and correspond on this or any other issue, my email address is brian.oxley1@mac.com
Dear Resident(s)
RE SACKVILLE HOTEL
We apologise for this impersonal letter but we wanted to write to you following a leaflet that has circulated in the area regarding the Sackville Hotel.
Like you, we were very concerned about the loss of this building and its architectural style and heritage. Shortly after the full demolition took place, following the further damage inflicted by the wind, we wrote a letter to the Argus publicly expressing our support for a replacement building of similar architectural design and use.
This is still something we want to see on that site and have advised the Planning Department accordingly.
We have been in touch with the Planning Department and have ascertained it is unlikely that any form of planning application will be coming forward until the New Year. The developer expects to carry out consultation with the local community prior to submission of a planning application. This may take the form of a public exhibition where residents and we, as the local councillors, will be able to express views on the proposals.
In the light of this, if you want to return the tear-off slip below expressing your support for a traditionally styled building, please do and we will let the council know of the local strength of feeling.
We look forward to hearing from you and, as always, we send our very best wishes.
Yours sincerely
Cllr Denise Cobb Tel: 07979 468 503 Cllr Brian Oxley Tel: 01273 728 955
Squatters
The squatters in the Westbourne Hospital were removed last night. Firefighters moved in and secured the premises. The police were also involved. Denise and I had received many complaints from residents about the rave which took place last week at the site and which I understand attracted some 300 people.
We are pleased the building has been secured again.
Ward Advice Bureau
Tomorrow, Denise and I will be holding our regular Poets Corner based surgery for Westbourne residents from 10am until 11am. The venue is the TalkShop on Tamworth Road. No appointment is necessary. If you cannot attend, but want to raise an issue, please email me on brian.oxley1@mac.com
Fireworks!
Well, not of the political variety! I just wanted to record on this blog what a great display the Lions organised at the County Cricket Ground on Saturday night. I went along and thought the fireworks were genuinely memorable. The audience clapped on several occasions to mark their appreciation of different parts of the display. It really was a terrific occasion.
Graffiti clearance
I have been advised that NTL operatives will be working in Westbourne Ward today clearing graffiti that has appeared on the company's green boxes in recent times. Graffiti is a real problem in this city, in my view, and it is good to think that there should be a bit less of it after today's clearance. I noticed some graffiti on the wall surrounding the Westbourne Hospital when I was passing there the other day and will be asking for that to be removed as well.
Graffiti
I mentioned the other day that I hoped the graffiti that is in Westbourne at the moment would be removed earlier this week. This hasn't happened yet and so I am pursuing this today. I have also now asked officers to remove the graffiti that appeared on the wall that surrounds the Westbourne Hospital.
Parking Signs
Some residents tell me that they find the parking signs in the 'W' parking zone of the Ward to be unclear. I shall be talking to the Council's officers regarding this matter to see if the signs can be made easier to interpret and clearer in intent.
Remembrance Sunday
My weekend was mainly spent attending Remembrance activities around the city. It is important to remember those who have died in service to this country so that we may live in freedom.
On Saturday, I joined a number of colleagues at the Peace Statue at 11am to observe the 2 minutes silence. The British Legion ran a successful campaign some years ago to have a moment of silence on the actual '11th day of the 11th month' as well as on the nearest Sunday to that date.
The Mayor presided and there was a short service. It was a very dignified event.
On Sunday morning, I attended the Remembrance Service at the War Memorial in Brighton. There were many civic figures present. We were blessed with a sunny day and it was so moving, as it always is, to see the wreathes being laid. The march past afterwards had a wonderful spirit and each service was loudly clapped by the people who had gathered to remember.
In the afternoon I attended the service in Hove. After processing from Hove Town Hall with Council colleagues, and led by the Mayor and others, the wreathes were laid at the War Memorial in Hove.
After that we then processed to All Saints Church and were present for the Service of Remembrance.
Both days gave a chance for reflection, for the expression of thanks and the feelings of sorrow for those who have been lost in war.
King Alfred Planning Application
Denise and I are presently writing to a large number of residents in Westbourne Ward asking them to let the Council have their views on the King Alfred planning application.
The plans can be viewed online or at the Council's City Direct office at Hove Town Hall.
If you wish to comment, please do so by November 24th, either by writing to
Development Control,
Email is planning.applications@brighton-hove.gov.uk
Correspondence must include application number BH2006/03429
If you want to comment on this or any other issue, please email me at:
Graffiti - update
I mentioned recently that I was concerned about a number of problems relating to graffiti in Westbourne Ward and I now understand NTL are cleaning their boxes in
Sackville Hotel
Denise and I are shortly to write to the Planning Department about the Sackville Hotel, following the responses that we have received to the letter of consultation we have sent to residents in the nearby area.
If you would like to let us have your views (the letter we sent out is reproduced in an earlier blog) then please do be in touch. You can email me at: brian.oxley1@mac.com
Access to planning information
Today Councillors from the Conservative Group paid a visit to the Planning Department at the Council and whilst there, we were shown a demonstration of how the Council scans onto its website planning applications that come in by post or are handed in, and how applications, that are sent via the internet, are added to the website and also converted into paper plans.
If you want to access the online register, follows this link:
After you accept the conditions, you can find out all kinds of information about planning applications, and the great thing is, you do not even need to know the application number. There is a box to type in an address or even just the street name, and the system will show you all the applications pertaining to that road so you can choose to look at the one in which you are interested.
The demonstration we had convinced me this is an excellent system.
Parking Review
Denise and I are in the process of asking Council officers when the Westbourne Parking extension will be reviewed. We are also asking what can be reviewed so that we can ask residents to let us have the information we need to pass on to the Council. The Council will also conduct its own survey of the area. I have mentioned before that businesses and churches, where people need cars to get to those locations, are telling me that they are finding it difficult to manage with the new arrangements.
King Alfred representations
Thanks to everyone who has been in touch with me and Denise following our letters to the south east corner of Westbourne Ward regarding the King Alfred.
If other people want to make representations, the deadline date is this Friday, 24th November and you can write to
Development Control,
Email is planning.applications@brighton-hove.gov.uk
Correspondence must include application number BH2006/03429
If you want to comment on this or any other issue, please email me at:
Leaf fall
I spoke to the Environment Directorate yesterday about the problems that falling leaves are causing on Sackville Road. I was walking in that area of the Ward and noticed that the leaf fall, followed by heavy rain, was causing quite a slippery surface underfoot. This was exacerbated by the fact that in some parts of the road, the pavement becomes very narrow. This is because of wheelie bins and recycling boxes on one side of the pavement and trees and bus shelters on the other. I asked if the road could be swept to clear the wet leaves away and this should be done by the end of today.
King Alfred
Tomorrow is the last day for the receipt of representations regarding the King Alfred redevelopment. Denise and I have sent in our views and if you would like to see a copy of our letter, please email me at:
If you do choose to write in, please send your letters to Development Control, Hove Town Hall, Norton Road, Hove BN3 3BQ.
The email address is: planning.application@brighton-hove.gov.uk
In any correspondence, it is important to quote the following reference:
BH2006/03429
If you do send in a letter or an email, Denise and I would be grateful if you could let us have a copy.
Recent visits
As a ward Councillor I like to support local events happening in Westbourne when I can. This past Saturday I had the opportunity of supporting two Christmas fairs at local churches in the area. Yesterday, I went and visited the Archaeology exhibition at Hove Museum (the Museum is located in the Ward and as well as being a great place to visit, it is also home to the Jaipur Gate).
There are three galleries of exhibits and not only do they tell the story of the Brighton and Hove Archaeological Society but there are many artifacts to look at some of which date back 4,000 years. It seems areas such as Whitehawk and Hangleton have had extensive 'digging' over the years and have been a treasure trove of important finds. The exhibition is absolutely fascinating, with many 'hands on' features and specific activities for children. Well worth a visit!