Author: Mitchell Orriss

Plans are being drawn up to enhance and improve Stanmer Park to restore the historic buildings and create an impressive gateway into the South Downs National Park.

The council is working with the South Downs National Park Authority, Stanmer Preservation Society and other interested parties to discuss plans about restoring, protecting, and enhancing the estate over the next 10 years. The conclusion of these discussion will form a bid to be presented to the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Investigations began into potential restoration and enhancement in April 2012, and in June 2013 hundreds of residents took part in an information gathering exercise to determine how many people used the park.

Residents will also be given the opportunity to further voice their opinions as Members of Brighton and Hove City Council Environment and Transport Sustainability Committee have given permission for consultations to be held.

These consultations will begin in March with a foresight of a bid being presented to the Heritage Fund under the Parks for People fund next August.

The Stanmer Estate and Country Park has a history dating back to the 18th century, and is home to a community of residents in Stanmer Village and cottages, as well as being a base for several businesses and organisations.

Cllr Pete West, chair of the environment, transport and sustainability committee said: “Stanmer Park Estate is well loved by residents who are keen to see it restored and enhanced for future generations. With its beautiful setting and historic buildings, the park has huge potential to become an exciting and vibrant gateway to the new national park.

“We know there is widespread support from local people keen to contribute to any plans, and I am keen to move forward with a bid to attract vital funding to support this exciting project.”

Brighton and Hove City Council commenced major redevelopment works around the Brighton Station area last week.

The Brighton Station Gateway project aims to improve traffic flow, pedestrian and vehicle access to the station and areas surrounding areas.

Surrey Street will be closed to all traffic until March with the following alternative arrangements in place:

• The contra-flow lane on Queen’s Road will be re-opened for northbound buses, taxis and cycles

• All other traffic except HGVs will be re-directed along Upper Gloucester Road and Buckingham Road

• HGVs will be directed along North Road and the A23 to avoid large vehicles using the West Hill area

• The existing ban on right-turns from Terminus Road into Guildford Road will be suspended, enabling access to Guildford Street and New Dorset Street from the west

The Brighton Station Gateway scheme was agreed last year following consultations with residents and the local business community.

Councillor Ian Davey, the council’s lead member for transport, said: “With thousands of people passing through each day Brighton Station is vital to our city’s economy, yet the area outside currently provides a poor welcome to visitors.

“These changes, which were subject to widespread pubic consultation, will provide a simplified road layout, removal of street clutter, wider pavements and the introduction of new street trees.

“In addition to making the station easier to access these improvements will enhance the whole area for residents and visitors alike and provide a fitting welcome to the city. New businesses are already investing in this area and, as we have seen elsewhere in the city when changes have taken place, we are confident that more will follow.”

For further information about the Brighton Station Gateway improvement works CLICK HERE:

The historic Brighton Lanes receive their first major redevelopment since the sixties with the coming creation of a new ‘Lane’ to be situated behind the former Hannington’s department store.

The city’s planning committee approved the plans on December 11 which will also include new retail units, homes, offices and a 26 room hotel. Furthermore the plans will uncover the 17^th century Puget’s cottage which has been hidden for decades behind an electricity sub-station and another building.

Cllr Phelim MacCafferty, chair of the city’s planning committee, said: “In many ways The Lanes tells the story of how Brighton & Hove changed from fishing village to seaside resort. The narrow streets and twittens reflect the passageways of centuries ago and the buildings have grown up around them.

“Now The Lanes are set to benefit from a 21st century Lane in an ambitious development that combines new building with a respect for the old. It will create jobs and homes and ensure The Lanes remain a top visitor attraction. Puget’s Cottage is one of the oldest buildings in Brighton and will be brought into public view for the first time in decades.

“The development will also reduce the area’s carbon footprint as the new buildings will have features such as communal heating systems, solar panels, energy-efficient materials and lighting, rainwater harvesting and recycling facilities.”

Developers are working with local architects Morgan Carn on six separate applications to revive and enhance the former Hannington’s store area in The Lanes which closed down in the early 2000s.

Some buildings in the Brighton square area will be demolished to make room for a boutique hotel, and a four storey building to provide retail and three flats above.

A new pedestrian shopping lane consisting of 14 retail and eating outlets with 7 homes above and 2 floors of office space will be constructed from Meeting House Lane to Brighton Place. Permission has also been granted to build an additional storey on buildings in Brighton Square to create 7 three-storey town houses as the area is renovated.

As a historic area, lying on top of an ancient raised beach, archaeological excavations are to be recorded and carried out prior to the plans.