Architects’ Journal shines spotlight on Brighton and Hove
The Architects’ Journal (AJ) has shone a spotlight on Brighton and Hove, saying that the city had “turned a corner”.
In a related article it said that it was “an urban myth” that it is hard to win planning permission here.
The article quoted Brighton and Hove City Council head of planning and public protection Martin Randall who defended his team’s record.
He cited big projects that had won permission and said: “Brighton and Hove is a compact city and we have to make the very best use of the limited supply of land.”
The AJ looked at the fate of ten major schemes. They included the i360, by the West Pier, Anston House, opposite Preston Park, and the old fruit and veg market in Circus Street, Brighton.
The i360 has planning permission but is not yet fully funded. A scheme for Anston House was rejected by councillors in the summer. And the planning application for Circus Street has only recently been submitted.
Martin Randall
Mr Randall cited the One Brighton project by Brighton Station and the wholesale regeneration of the New England Quarter as an example of what can be achieved.
He also pointed to the building of American Express’s new European headquarters. The article doesn’t mention that the same company sponsors the stadium in Falmer where Brighton and Hove Albion play and which opened in 2011.
Next door is the £27 million Brighton Aldridge Community Academy building, which also opened in 2011, and The Keep, a £19 million records office, archive centre and library which opened last month.
Two other big schemes were not mentioned but were granted permission four days ago. The first was the £79 million modernisation of City College Brighton and Hove. And the other involved Brighton Square and the area of The Lanes behind the old Hannington’s department store.
And another scheme to be overlooked was the £420 million revamp of the Royal Sussex County Hospital site in Kemp Town.
Mr Randall said: “As you would expect, every significant proposal is the subject of much scrutiny, discussion and debate.
“Despite this, planning approval rates remain high.
“A new Open Market is at an advanced stage, the city’s shared archive The Keep has just been completed (and) Block J of the New England Quarter is emerging alongside Brighton Station.”
He also mentioned the progress in building student flats on the site of the former Co-op building in London Road which will “retain its impressive façade”.
He added: “Many other smaller projects are also under way.”
Mr Randall said that there was “a series of high-profile development projects in the city and more in the pipeline that illustrate a real confidence by investors in Brighton and Hove”.
