Planners seek public’s views about historic Hove building

The public are being invited to have their say on the future of a historic building on Hove seafront.

Medina House, in King’s Esplanade, is the subject of a consultation which runs until 5pm on Tuesday 30 April.

Brighton and Hove City Council said that planning officials had prepared a draft planning brief and wanted input from residents.

The site, which once housed slipper baths and a laundry, has been the subject of a number of refused or withdrawn planning applications.

The two most recently refused applications sought permission to demolish the locally listed building.

Last summer Save Hove presented a petition calling on the council to do more to protect the site which is in the Cliftonville Conservation Area.

Those signing the petition urged the council to prepare a planning brief which would set out what can and can’t happen.

Among those with concerns about the site are people living in the Victorian cottages in Sussex Road who could be overlooked if a block of flats is built there.

A drop-in exhibition is being held at Hove Town Hall in Norton Road on Wednesday 17 April from 9.30am to 4.45pm. The material will stay on display until Wednesday 24 April.

The consultation details can be found on the council website at http://consult.brighton-hove.gov.uk/portal/bhcc/env/planning/medina.

Councillor Geoffrey Bowden, chairman of the council’s Economic Development and Culture Committee, said: “Medina House has a fascinating history and is well loved by the local community.

“I hope residents will take the opportunity to add their comments through the public consultation and help us to produce a final planning brief that will see the building and surrounding area preserved for future generations.”

Comments can be posted during the exhibition at Hove Town Hall. They can be submitted using the the online consultation portal http://consult.brighton-hove.gov.uk/portal/bhcc/env/planning/medina.

They can also be sent in writing to Planning Strategy and Projects, Room 407-410, Hove Town Hall, Hove, BN3 3ZZ, or by email to planning.projects@brighton-hove.gov.uk by 5pm on Tuesday 30 April.

The council that it would take the results of the consultation into consideration when officials prepared the final version of the planning brief.

The planning brief would be presented to the Economic Development and Culture Committee for approval by councillors.