Hove Civic Society January 2019 Newsletter Chairman’s Letter Dear Members, much weight to one policy of the plan. In their justifiable anxiety to generate more affordable homes it can be A Happy and Joyous New Year to all of you. argued that the council lost sight of a key strategic Towards the end of last year we had the opportunity to element of the City Plan namely to progress the plans for attend the appeal hearing for 1-3 Ellen Street, known as the eight development areas – the areas which are meant Hove Gardens. Most of the day was spent on discussing to deliver the bulk of new housing for the city up to 2030. contrasting valuation figures, much of the argument In this case the proposal offered an excellent design with hanging on the starting value of the site and the eventual a scheme by a highly regarded local architect and a local sales figures that might be achievable on the sale of flats developer with a keen interest in the local community. once they are built. The appellant, Matsim, consistently The appeal case not only demonstrates the difficulties argued that for the location, the district valuer had used of accurately valuing a proposed development, where comparison figures from more attractive locations and variables such as building costs, labour rates and future hence set too high values for what was achievable in sales proceeds can vary substantially over the time it Hove Gardens. The overall valuation would determine the takes to complete a building. It also shows the futility of amount of affordable homes that could be accommodated putting too much emphasis on the provision of affordable on site. The council’s policy is a target of 40%, the district homes through the development process. Futile in the valuers’ service suggested 25% were achievable, the sense that ‘affordable’ in this planning process means appellant felt able to offer 18%. The difference between 80% of the market rate, which in Brighton and Hove is them when the application was determined amounted almost meaningless and unaffordable for most people. to 11 flats of the over 180 units. The lack of affordable In the process we all are loosing out on much needed housing had been the sole reason for refusal of planning physical improvements to our City. permission by the council and the counsel for Matsim convincingly argued that the council had not applied Whilst the Council’s affordable housing policy is no doubt policy CP20 of the City Plan correctly in that the five tests designed with the best of intentions and is indeed guided of the policy had not been followed. Broadly speaking this by government policy, it is largely ineffective in providing meant that the advantages of the development (enabling really affordable housing and can have unintended redevelopment in an environmentally deprived area, consequences in terms of deferred investment or reduced providing major environmental improvements etc) had quality of developments. Really affordable homes are not been balanced against the somewhat lower figure of desperately needed and this would be better dealt with affordable homes achieved. by social policy at a national level. I increasingly doubt whether the planning system and contributions by As members will remember this was indeed one of the developers is the right vehicle to deal with the issue of key arguments by the Society in support of the appeal. affordable homes. In making their decision the Council had drawn an With very best wishes unnecessary red line and, in my opinion, given far too Helmut Lusser Hove Gardens, 1-3 Ellen Street – The proposal subject to appeal Thousands welcome suffragette statue by Brighton sculptor Hazel Reeves On the 14th of December some 5,000 people gathered in St Peter’s Square in Manchester to celebrate the Mothers and babies gathered round Our Emmeline unveiling of a new statue of the suffragette Emmeline Pankhurst marking exactly 100 years since women first voted in General Election. The statue was created by award-winning sculptor Hazel Reeves, who we are very proud to have as our very own sculpture advisor for Hove Plinth. The story of Emmeline Pankhurst and how the sculpture was created can be seen in the video Our Emmeline. Manchester City Council had pulled out all the stops to make this a wonderful civic occasion. Colourful marches had been organised by Emmeline Pankhurst’s great grand daughter, Helen Pankhurst, including around one thousand school children and many women in period costumes. We were privileged to attend and what an amazing day it was. There was music and speeches and Manchester Community Choir singing a specially commissioned Pankhurst Anthem. What a wonderful way of celebrating the centenary of votes for women such as Emmeline and Christabel Pankhurst, Annie Kenney, Flora Drummond, Mary Naylor, Ada Wright, Lady Constance Lytton, Emmeline Pethick-Lawrence, Vera Wentworth, Emily Wilding Davison and Mary Clarke. We wish the Mary Clarke statue appeal all success and hope that we will soon see a statue by Hazel Reeves in her home city. Karin Janzon BLUE PLAQUES On July 24, 2018 a commemorative stone was unveiled at the Old Steine War Memorial in honour of Major Edward “Mick” Mannock. He became a pilot with the Royal Flying Corps, served as Flight Commander in 40 Squadron and Major in command of 85 Squadron in World War One. He crashed behind enemy lines at the very end of the war and was awarded a VC posthumously. ‘Our Emmeline’ unveiled, with Hazel Reeves (left), “Mick” was born at Preston Barracks, Brighton. Because Cllr Andrew Simcock and Helen Pankhurst the site is due for demolition, the decision has been made to instal a Blue Plaque when the new buildings are Hazel Reeves is moving onto new and exciting projects, completed. including celebrating the life of suffragette Mary Clarke, Such a huge variety of people are commemorated with Emmeline Pankhurst’s sister. She was the Women’s Blue Plaques in Brighton & Hove, and the unveiling on Social and Political Union organiser in Brighton before 7 September 2018 at 9 Chesham Street was for Prince her untimely death in 1910, almost certainly as the result Petr Alexeyevich Kropotkin. Known as the anarchist of police violence and forcible feeding in prison. The prince, he spent 30 years in exile in London and Mary Clarke Statue Appeal is working with the Brighton Brighton. Born a Russian Prince in 1842, he was trained and Hove Women’s History Group to campaign and for the Tsar’s court but decided to become a scientist fundraise for the bronze statue. As part of its campaign after reading Darwin’s “The origin of the Species”. He developed an interest in socialism, spreading for recognition for local suffragists and suffragettes the revolutionary propaganda among workers in Moscow Women’s History Group already successfully campaigned and St Petersburg. He was arrested but escaped to for a Blue Plaque for suffragette Minnie Turner, which London and Brighton before returning to Russia in was unveiled at 13 Victoria Road, Brighton on the 1917. His notable work, “Mutual Aid”, published in 1902, 18th November. Minnie Turner ran a boarding house developed a theory that society could be organised “Seaview” at this address both as a holiday destination by individuals working together in co-operation. It’s and as a refuge for suffragettes recovering from interesting that he lived in Chesham Street from 1911 to imprisonment, hunger strikes and force feeding. Minnie 1917, in view of Brighton’s long tradition of radicalism. Turner’s guests included many well known campaigners Elaine Evans The new Hove Station Quarter – A plan by the Neighbourhood Forum a high standard of planting and a number of community hubs to improve existing facilities and create new ones for residents and workers alike. The Forum has spent considerable time preparing suggestions for how the area could be substantially improved with the railway station as a focus. Key concerns have been how to manage the demand for parking and additional traffic in the area as well as how to ensure a broad variety of housing in the area including truly affordable units. The Neighbourhood Plan is made up of two parts. Part One is the statutory part, whereas Part Two sets out aspirations of the Forum, which cannot be included in the statutory part. The Plan, once adopted, will sit alongside Area covered by the Hove Station Neighbourhood Plan the City Plan and its policies will be used to determine By the time you read this the public consultation on the planning applications in the area. To reach that stage Hove Station Neighbourhood Plan will be underway. The there will be two consultations, an external inspector’s plan is produced by the Hove Station Neighbourhood examination followed by a referendum, all in 2019. Forum, focuses on the area around Hove Station and The Forum believes that the Plan represents the art of extends broadly from the Drive in the East to School the possible in terms of influencing local development Road in the West, including a major part of Poets Corner. in a way that meets both city wide and local needs and To the north it extends up to Old Shoreham road at the provides a substantial upgrading of the local environment eastern end to then follow the railway line. In the south it in the process. Your Committee has supported the work goes as far as Clarendon Villas and then follows Portland of the Forum over time and would encourage you to look Road. The Map above shows the exact boundaries. The at the plan at the consultation stage as well as voting in plan proposes the creation of a new Hove Station Quarter the referendum if you live within the neighbourhood area.