Derelict Hove building given a facelift
Repairs are being carried out at Medina House on Hove seafront after Brighton and Hove City Council planning officials served an enforcement notice on the owners.
The council said that the owners, Anis and Sirus Taghan, were carrying out the repairs having failed to respond to informal requests made by officials.
The dilapidated building in King’s Esplanade used to house public baths and forms part of the Cliftonville Conservation Area.
It has suffered years of neglect and has been occupied by squatters on several occasions.
The enforcement notice gave the owners six months to
- wash down and repaint the southern and western walls
- remove the breeze blocks from the window openings and reinstate windows and glazing
- repair and make good all the windows and doors including reglazing as required
- repaint all external timberwork including window frames, doorframes and soffits
- rerender the eastern elevation of the property
Councillor Christopher Hawtree, chairman of the council’s planning committee, said: “The Hove seafront in its variety – from the twitten cottages to the mansions with their towers – is continually fascinating while, on a good day, the sea is worthy of Monet at his finest, and even energising on a rough day.
“It is, obviously enough, a reason why people live here. A stroll along the front is democracy in action.
“It’s always a shame when we have to resort to legal action to encourage property owners to act responsibly and maintain their buildings.
“However, I am pleased that these property owners have responded and are now carrying out the necessary repairs which are already making some improvement to the surrounding area.”
