3.

Roger provided some background information on how planning and strategy operates within the council:

a.

One of the first planning documents to look at the character of Brighton and Hove was the Tall Buildings Study.

b.

The Urban Characterisation Study grew out of this process. The purpose of the Study is to present information on the current character of the city. The document was not meant to focus on conservation areas on which there is already a degree of information but to look at other areas of the city about which less information is available

c.

Two documents under preparation provide companion documents to the Urban Characterisation Study. These are the Legibility Study which looks at the needs of pedestrians and cyclists within the city - rather than just motorists - and the Extensive Urban Survey which looks at historic buildings within Brighton and Hove from an archaeological perspective.

d.

These three documents aim to provide information on the city today; what it looks like and how it has evolved. The documents will ultimately be used to inform future planning decisions.

4.

A vision for the future of the city - The Local Development Framework - will be published later this year for public consultation. This is the time for residents to get involved and comment on the plans for their city.

After this overview of planning, the meeting turned to EBRA's concerns

1.

Richard described the area between Norfolk and Palmeira Squares and commented on concerns in respect of the number of licensed premises and fast food outlets that are now open, and the number of hours, particularly late into the night which they operate.

2.

Roger and Martin commented that the area covered by EBRA, particularly the Western Road which is designated as a secondary shopping frontage within the city's regional shopping centre, where it is the council's policy to maintain a healthy balance and mix of uses including shops, and to avoid concentrations of other uses. These other uses might include banks, estate agents etc (use class A2),Cafes and restaurants (A3), pubs/ bars (A4), or take-aways (A5).

3.

The change was encouraged by the need to draw businesses to the area, and reflects the changing profile of the High Street where there are less small specialist shops present. Both Roger and Martin commented that it is obviously in the city's interest economically to bring vacant shops back into use.

4.

Despite the regional shopping centre having shifted eastward, the current planning policy still seeks to maintain a significant number of shops within the area, and would always welcome change of uses back to retail.

5.

Martin stated that he would talk to representatives of both Licensing and the Police to mention the area to them and discuss if there is any limit that applies to a particular type of business or licensed premise in the area.

6.

Martin also stated that the planning team would consider carefully whether there is now an imbalance in the mix of uses within Western Road and a need to resist further concentrations of bars and take aways.

7.

Roger mentioned that Brunswick is seen as vibrant destination for a' night out' but agreed that there is of course a need to balance lively night life with a need to respect the amenities of neignbouring residents

8.

The matter of shop fronts was raised. Some are obviously in keeping with the character of the area, others are not. Roger stated that there was no proactive action to ensure shop fronts remained a particular style, and also no grants available to help in this. When considering planning applications every effort is made to preserve good traditional shop fronts and to raise the quality of replacement shop fronts. Unauthorised alterations, that are of poor quality will be enforced against.

9.

Roger and Martin pointed out that the type of business occupying a premise is often related to the economic cycle. At this point, Brighton and Hove is prosperous with a demand for leisure related businesses. At another point in the cycle, demand could return for more traditional retail businesses.

Moving forwards

1.

Roger said that future planning applications for the area will be monitored and discuss with colleagues whether there are adequate controls over licensed premises. He thanked EBRA for bringing its concerns to the planning team's attention.

2.

A balance must be struck between preserving the visual appearance of this conservation area and safeguarding the contribution it makes to the city's economic and social well being.

3.

The experiment to control estate agents boards in Brunswick Square has been successful, and this legislation is likely to be extended. There is now less justification for marketing the sale of properties in this way.

The members of the East Brunswick Residents Association present at the meeting thanked both Mr Randall and Mr Dowty for giving their time to attend this meeting.