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.

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 enough 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.

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.

Southern Rail propose to construct a ramp leading from Station Road (Snakey Lane) to platform 3 of Preston Park Station, it is claimed that this will involve the felling of 40 trees. Designating the 4 parking spaces in front of the station as disabled will displace the much valued coffee, tea, porridge, croisants and newspaper vendor.

A Senior Planning Officer of Brighton & Hove City Council wrote to the Society: “Southern Rail have advised us that the land on which they propose to construct the ramp is operational land and that therefore the works are permitted development and so do not require Planning Permission. Similarly no consent is required to fell the trees. The Conservation team has indeed been ‘consulted’ but since we have no control over the works and as there is little scope for alternative options it would be more accurate to say that we have been ‘informed’ of the proposed works.”

The Society is considering how we can influence Southern Rail to reconsider the design of their plan. We are particularly concerned about the loss of 40 trees, which help to deaden the sound of the trains.

A tower, between 8 and 13 storeys high, may replace Anston House. It is being claimed as a focal point for the gateway to the city, but the Pylons on the city boundary on the A23 are already the gateway to the City, we do not need another.

Gateways and icons are dangerous words as they usually mean that the architect showing off.

It would be the centre piece of a mixed-use site with 0ffice use, affordable housing and even some shops, (a foolish idea as these would not be viable and there are a number of shops in nearby Beaconsfield Road). It could also include live/work units (which would soon turn into live units), small workshops, studios, mini-office spaces which might be more likely to attract users.

The site, which has been derelict for 20 years,  is now owned by a specialist private bank Investec, who intend to employ Urban Splash as part of a team to transform the site (this makes us nervous). Plans for the site are expected to be unveiled next year, with a planning application to be submitted shortly afterwards.

This was previously the site of a line of grand Victorian villas which stretched from the Rose Garden at the south end of Preston Park all the way to Patcham. They provided a wonderful foil to the Park.

People who wish to become elm protection volunteers in East Sussex are asked to ring East Sussex County Council on 0845 6080194.

Schemes for offices and an hotel would generate an enormous amount of car borne traffic as the site is not well served by public transport. The Preston & Old Patcham Society will continue to oppose these kinds of proposals.