Project Brighton: The Brighton and Hove Property Consortium

Brighton 2 Paris Mayor’s Charity Cycle Ride
Friday 6th May to Monday 9th May 2016

The Brighton & Hove Property Consortium, supported by The Hyde Group and Colin Brace Properties, is organising the first annual cycling event in aid of the Mayor’s Charities.The Brighton 2 Paris Mayor’s Charity Cycle Ride 2016 will be leaving from the British Airways i360 on Friday 6th May and will arrive at the Eiffel Tower in Paris on Sunday 8th May, to be followed by a reception at the British Embassy.

The Mayor of Brighton and Hove, Cllr Lynda Hyde, said “House building and the property industry already does so much for the city’s economy, however, it is fantastic to see the property industry in the city focusing its efforts to raise substantial funding for three very worthwhile charities”. The Mayor actively supports the Martlets Hospice, Argus Appeal and Grace Eyre, all registered charities reliant on fundraising to serve the local community and improving the lives of many local people. Cllr Hyde greeted the cyclists at the Mayor’s Parlour ahead of the formal pre-launch event later this month, and expressed her gratitude for their commitment to this fundraising effort.

“We are looking for extra participants and organisations to become involved”

Colin Brace, Director of a local private landlord and property development company, said “The event is hoping to raise up to £100,000 for these fantastic charities, which do so much amazing work within the city. The aim of the Brighton & Hove Property Consortium is to promote the benefits of house building and the property sector within the city. This industry can sometimes get a very rough ride and therefore this is an opportunity for the house building and local property industry to give something back to the city by supporting these three worthwhile causes. The Mayor hopes to make this an annual event, creating a valuable legacy for the Mayor’s Charities. We have a collective of property professionals who are keen to cycle that extra mile to support the city’s key charities”.

Simon Nicholson from Handelsbanken in Hove: “Being based locally and with a significant presence in the property sector, we are pleased to support this initiative and back these wonderful charities.”

Simon Bareham from Lewis & Co Planning: “As an established planning consultancy with all of our staff living and working in Brighton we recognise and understand the importance of the property sector to the city’s economy, and the contribution it can make to good causes. We are thrilled to be taking part in this event.”

“At Martlets Hospice we rely on the local community”

For each new home built within the city, around 4.5 full time jobs are supported. Many local companies, jobs and apprenticeships are reliant on the house building industry and this is a big driver for the city’s economy. This together with new council tax revenues, new homes bonus and financial contributions from developers to build new community infrastructure brings a significant benefit to the city at a time of dwindling government funding.

Tom Shaw, Development Director (South) for The Hyde Group commented “As one of the largest house builders in the Greater Brighton City Region, Hyde is delighted to be able to support fundraising for the Mayor’s Charities. Hyde’s development programme is calculated to make a £2.2 billion contribution to the UK economy over the next 5 years. A significant proportion of this investment will benefit the Greater Brighton City Region’s economy, providing new homes and jobs. I look forward to cycling to support an initiative which will benefit three very worthwhile local charities which together put so much effort into supporting local people.”

Joining the peloton en route will be local TV station Latest TV, who will be filming live footage of the cycle ride and creating a short film documentary to publicise the event for subsequent years.

The route via ferry from Newhaven to Dieppe will then pass through beautiful French countryside on to the bright lights of Paris. The ride will be stopping off overnight in Dieppe and Beauvais to recharge tired legs before arriving at the Eiffel Tower on Sunday 9th May. At the end of each day all cyclists will have the opportunity to attend an informal networking supper.

The ride has already secured some fantastic support from organisations including The Hyde Group, Colin Brace Properties, Handelsbanken, Oakley Property, Robinson Low Francis, Lewis & Co Planning and Parks Letting Agents.

We are looking for extra participants and organisations to become involved. If you can commit to raising money for these three very worthwhile charities then this event will raise the profile of your organisation’s commitment to corporate social responsibility and provide you with an opportunity to network with fellow property professionals.

Antonia Shepherd, Events Manager for the Martlets Hospice, said “We are absolutely delighted that Colin and so many of his friends and colleagues from the Brighton & Hove Property Consortium and across the property industry are showing their support to the Mayor’s Charities by joining this fabulous fundraising cycle ride. At Martlets Hospice we rely on the local community to help us to raise the money that we need to look after our patients and their families. We are hugely grateful to everyone that is raising money on our behalf and would like to wish the team a very successful trip and good luck with their fundraising.”

Please get in touch with us at brighton2paris@yahoo.com if you would like to take part in or sponsor the event.

City planner: Major milestone for city’s planning blueprint

An independent planning inspector has found the city’s long-term plan to provide homes and jobs legally sound and compliant.

Government Inspector Laura Graham has published her final report on the City Plan and concludes that, with the recommended modifications consulted on from 2013 to 2015, it satisfies the legal requirements and complies with national planning policy.

The City Plan is crucial for the city’s future as it sets the strategic development and land-use priorities to 2030. It underpins the city’s future prosperity and provides a blueprint for building much-needed homes and supporting economic growth. It also provides an important signpost and clear framework for the council to make planning decisions and bring forward development and regeneration in the city.

Councillor Gill Mitchell, chair of the city’s environment, transport and sustainability committee, said: “A key milestone has been reached with the City Plan Part one. I am pleased that the Inspector’s report recognises the significant land supply constraints we face in meeting housing needs in full.

“The plan has taken time to develop and we have had some demanding challenges along the way. It is vital we have the right plan in place to make the best use of land, enhance our outstanding natural and built heritage and create the homes and jobs that people need, together with the right infrastructure and community facilities.

“The plan has taken a long time to develop and we have had some demanding challenges”

“When adopted the City Plan will give communities more certainty about how the city will grow and develop. Not only must we get the right balance but also the agreement of the Planning Inspector so that planning can continue to be influenced locally. I am grateful to everyone who took the time to contribute to the process. They have helped shape the Plan and the future of the city.”

The Inspector concluded that the Plan seeks to balance development needs with preserving the natural and built heritage of the city and its surroundings. She recognised the city acts as an important economic growth hub for the wider region and found the scale and mix of development in eight proposed Development Areas to be appropriate and deliverable. Brighton & Hove’s housing target is 13,200 new homes to 2030. It does not meet the city’s assessed housing need in full, but the Inspector acknowledged it reflects the city’s significant land constraints. The Inspector also recognised that the council has been working with neighbouring councils and other organisations to address housing needs.

There is also an identified potential for development on the urban fringe that will strike the right balance between meeting the needs for new housing and retaining open space. The Inspector was satisfied that the council will look at how development could be allocated on individual sites in Part 2 of the City Plan which will go into more detail about housing supply and will involve full public consultation.

The Inspector’s report will be considered by councillors at the Policy & Resources Committee on 17th March and they will decide whether to adopt the Plan at a meeting of the full council on 24th March.