Jason  Hawkes

Planning - Development Control

Environment

Hove Town Hall

Hove BN3 3BQ

For those living on the north  and west side of the building it is very important that you understand that there will be a shadow cast that will result in the loss of much of the present direct sunlight you enjoy. See attached copies that clearly show how it will look.

"This development does not preserve ‘the scale and character or appearance of the area, including the layout of the streets, development patterns, building lines and building forms.’  Considerable effort in the past has been made to restore this building and any additions blended so successfully that it is difficult to see where old ends and new begins. The addition of this structure clearly defines the difference in an offensive manner that will never blend with other buildings.

The enormous glass structure pays no regard ‘the use of building materials and finishes which are sympathetic to the area’. The considerable use of glass as the main material is an unashamed disregard for this policy. This structure is entirely out of character for the area.

‘no harmful impact on the townscape and roofscape of the conservation area’

This structure is clearly visible from every angle, it destroys the front elevation. Such a central and sizable building modified in this manner outlined would clearly harm the townscape and roofscape of this Conservation Area.

This is an unsightly and disproportionate addition in a conservation area"

Bill Cowell

Dear Planning Committee,                        
 
        Planning Application No. BH2009/02014 & 15
   The Old Market – 11a Upper Market Street, Hove.
 
The East Brunswick Residents’ Association is extremely disappointed that the Old Market Trust has seen fit to submit a further application to build two penthouse flats on the roof of The Old Market.
 
This proposal may be reduced in size by a very modest amount; it may be seeking to meet the various objections raised at the last Planning Hearing, when The Old Market Trust’s previous application was rejected. However, this new application continues to remain wholly unacceptable in a Conservation Area, particularly in one of the unique nature of Brunswick Town. The revised proposals neither conserves nor enhances the Area nor the Building, in fact it harms both. Therefore the Council should not permit the sort of development sought by The Old Market Trust.

 
The local area, surrounding The Old Market, comprises mainly small domestic properties, with a few commercial premises, such as shops, offices and garages. All the streets and pavements surrounding The Old Market are very narrow and, as such, all the streets are one way. The area is dominated by The Old Market building, which is very large, particularly in relation to its existing surroundings. Adding to the height of this building in the manner and materials proposed will increase its dominance and would detrimentally affect the character of the conserved character of the local Brunswick Estate and the wider Conservation Area. For example, many of the houses overlooked by The Old Market will suffer from a loss of sunlight. The beautiful Community Garden sited by the Waterloo Street Arch will also be ruined by the loss of sunlight in the afternoon. The architects have minimized this effect in their artists’ impressions, by depicting the area as being far more spacious than it really is. Appendix B of the architect’s submission sets out numerous examples of buildings where glass extensions/additions have been added; however, it should be noted that these have all been made to buildings which are situated in wide open spaces and which do not dominate the surrounding area.
 
Brunswick Town was designated a Conservation Area for good reason and the Council have a Statutory duty to preserve its character and status. We would ask the Planning Committee to consider what its overall plan for this area is and what would be the future effect to the area if planning permission were granted.  Any additions/alterations etc to buildings in a Conservation Area must reflect the style, proportions, materials and details of the property and must not dominate or compete with it. This application by The Old Market Trust does all these things, and proposes a significant and permanent intrusion into and alteration of the skyline and Conservation Area views.
 
DMH Stallard claims that The Old Market (building) is a “heritage asset”. If that is the case then there is even more reason why The Old Market should not be altered in this way. The penthouses add nothing to The Old Market’s facilities and are solely a further attempt to reduce its level of debt. This is an extremely important Conservation Area decision and one that should not be based on emotional grounds derived from the Applicant’s alleged financial difficulties and management.
 
Even without its current debt, the viable future of The Old Market must be in doubt. The centre is not located in a desirable area from an access point of view: there is no on or off- street parking and access is limited to public transport or pedestrian travel. DMH Stallard imply that The Old Market’s competition is only from ‘Rope Tackle’ in Shoreham and ‘The Dome’ in Brighton. This of course is far from the case. One of The Old Market’s biggest problems is competition from a vast number of venues in the city, many of which are far better suited for the types of performances that are popular in the city. 
 
DMH Stallard claims that The Old Market was designed as an art and cultural venue: on the contrary, it was originally designed as the home of the Hanover Band and as a recording studio. We cannot see how this original set-up could be termed a community asset, as claimed by Stallard. It was only after the Hanover Band went into receivership (this term may not be accurate) that The Old Market was actually set up as an arts centre, using its existing facilities, which are not sufficiently flexible for its current needs to be successful.
 
The building of two penthouses does not secure the long-term future of The Old Market. It only temporarily defers the inevitable - that without long-term grant funding The Old Market’s future is very doubtful (see Item 4 Conclusions in Enabling Development Appeal Case, prepared by DMH Stallard). If The Old Market is as valuable an asset to the Community and City as claimed by them, then the Council should provide them with long-term funding. That is the only viable option to secure the future of The Old Market.
 
The East Brunswick Residents’ Association urges the Planning Committee to give serious consideration to the above and in the meantime reject the application.
 



 Bill Cowell
                                       
 Co-Chairman