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Welcome to the Preston and Old Patcham Society News Magazine on the Web:~

January 20, 2012 By admin

From Ditchling Road to the surrounding Downland

The Preston and Old Patcham Society was founded in 1973. Our work is concerned with maintaining a sense of continuity in the community and matters related to conservation issues. The Society embraces the area between Ditchling Road, Springfield Road, Dyke Road, Snakey Lane, Patcham village, Withdean, Westdean, Varndean and the surrounding downland.

The Society plants trees from time to time. We check significant planning applications weekly. We are represented on the Conservation Advisory Group which advises Brighton City Council’s Planning Applications Sub-Committee on matters of conservation and listed buildings.

We hold meetings to which we welcome all members.

Filed Under: homepage information

PATCHAM PLACE TO BE BUSINESS CENTRE & COMMUNITY HUB

January 18, 2012 By admin

THIS IS GOOD NEWS. There is likely to be space for smaller firms and rooms for the community to rent. The Preston & Old Patcham Society have always considered that offices were the best use for Patcham Place as the conversion would do the least damage to the interior of the building, unlike a hotel with many bathrooms and lots of plumbing. Small start-up offices are also a good idea, we do not have enugh of them in Brighton and they encourage new businesses to establish themselves.

Patcham Place, grade II* listed, is now in the South Downs National Park. It has been empty since 2007 when the Youth Hostels Association’s lease expired, except for a temporary occupier Camelot Property Management.

The Council now propose to lease the building for a number of years. It is most suitable for office space which would do least damage to the interior which is protected by the listing.

Filed Under: news stories Tagged With: brighton & hove city council, patcham place, southdowns national park

SAINSBURY’S APPEAL IS SUCCESSFUL

January 16, 2012 By admin

Sainsbury’s have won their appeal to convert Caffyns Garage in Preston village to a Sainsbury’s Local.  The appeal was against the refusal of their second planning application for a Sainsbury’s Local which was unanimously refused planning permission – on 27 April 2011 – by the Planning Committee against the advice of Council officers, which was to grant permission.

The Council’s case officer had given the reasons why permission should be granted subject to conditions: the proposed change of use of the site would not harm the character or appearance of the Conservation Area, the amenities of local residents, the local shopping centres, or highway safety.

The applicants had supplied detailed evidence to confirm that the two retail units cannot be located within existing centres, and that the vitality and viability of these local shopping centres, including the adjacent parade, will not be unduly harmed.

Furthermore, the access, unloading and parking arrangements will not unduly pressurise local facilities, will not result in increased highway safety risk, and would not significantly harm the amenities of local residents. The proposal is considered to be in accordance with local development plan policies and national policy guidance.

The Preston & Old Patcham Society had lodged an objection to Sainsbury’s Local on the Caffyns garage site solely on traffic grounds. The Council’s case officer did not agree with us. 

Caffyns closed at the end of October 2008, and at the beginning of 2010 Sainsbury’s submitted a planning application for a Sainsbury’s Local within most of the existing structure. The report which went to the Planning Committee of 22 September 2010, with the recommendation that planning permission for Sainsbury’s Local on the Caffyns site in Preston Road be refused.

The Preston & Old Patcham Society previously expressed concern over the traffic arrangements for accessing, parking, loading and unloading on the site. We sought advice and were warned that these concerns still applied.

Filed Under: news stories Tagged With: Appeal, caffyns, planning applications, sainsbury's, traffic