Brighton & Hove District Update May 2021

CPRE Sussex activity in Brighton & Hove District.

Out of the blue – Aldi has plans for a huge new store in Hove

The supermarket chain apparently now owns Court Farm, the site at the top of King George VI Avenue where it meets the A27 at the roundabout.

Right next to the proposed Toad’s Hole Valley development, Aldi considers the site an ideal location for their expansion. The plan is to attract travellers off the A27 as well as residents. CPRE Sussex is really concerned about this development which would lead to a significant increase in traffic around the Goldstone area.

As yet no planning application has been submitted but one will go in subject to consultation and following a full transport impact assessment. (The holding objection from Highways England on the A27 junction for the Toads Hole Valley development is still in place.)

Councillor Samer Bagaeen, representing Hove Park, spoke to Aldi’s representatives  at a virtual meeting recently.  If you have questions or concerns contact Cllr Bagaeen,:samer.bagaeen@brighton-hove.gov.uk or Cllr. Brown: vanessa.brown@brighton-hove.gov.uk

Reminder – Plans submitted in late-2018 for Toad’s Hole Valley already include almost 900 homes plus proposals for shops, a new secondary school and its sports facilities and a community centre including a café.

Brighton & Hove City Plan Part 2 goes to the Secretary of State (Regulation 22)

In May 2021, the Council submitted the Proposed Submission City Plan Part Two to the government for independent examination. The documents are available to view on the council’s website: https://www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/city-plan-part-2-examination-2021 There is also an online newsletter containing latest updates on a number of planning policy documents and neighbourhood planning. CPRE Sussex responded to the proposed Local Plan last year, you can find our response here CPRE Sussex .

Our key concern is about development of the ‘urban fringe’ to the city. Lockdown has highlighted how critical these green spaces are for our health and wellbeing. At a time of climate and ecological emergency, we believe development should be directed to brownfield sites looking for regeneration instead of these areas which are so valuable for wildlife.  We also support the request by Hove Civic Society for one new tree to be planted for every new development, either on site of via section 106.

Brighton Downland

We attended an all day session on the future of the Brighton Downland last month and are awaiting the outcome. We are part of the Down Alliance and have signed up to the Alliance’s Vision Vision (brightondownsalliance.org.uk) in addition to providing our own consultation response: CPRE Sussex

Plant Your Postcode 

You can find out more about the Plant Your Postcode project in Brighton on the website: Sites – Plant Your Postcode