Your Support Urgently Needed.
Stop the Demolition WRITE by 14th of Semptember

The West Hill Community & Montpelier and Clifton Hill Associations believe that the old Royal Alexandra Hospital building is of unique value to the city and to this area in particular. The Associations feel that the feasibility of converting the existing building into dwellings and doctors’ surgery must be fully investigated and published before any development decisions regarding this landmark building are made.

The design, by the respected architect Thomas Lainson, in 1881, with its complex shapes provides a stimulating contrast to its neighbours. Despite its size, Lainson cleverly created a pretty and light footed building, replete with endearing “pepper pots”. The form and materials used (brick, Reading Tilework and glass), in the Queen Anne style, means that the building plays a crucial role in the architectural vitality of the area. The building is much loved for its delightful contribution and is treasured by city residents.

The proposal to knock it down, so as to provide 56 underground parking spaces for new residents, is vandalistic as well as wasteful. It will denude the area. The proposal to replace it with 3 standard blocks, supposedly designed to “blend” in with its neighbours completely misses the rich contribution the existing building makes.

Buildings with character and charm such as this will never be recreated. They are precious and refreshing. Too often their loss is accompanied by the insertion of bland uniform structures, a standardised vision, as epitomized by the planning application just submitted for this site.

Brighton’s charm and fortunes rest on the architecture we were lucky enough to inherit.

The challenge for the new owners is to convert the use of an uplifting building, set at the helm of an outstanding conservation area, and give it a brand new lease of life. Such conversions can be highly successful as seen with the award winning Palmeira Yard, Holland Road, Hove also designed by Lainson, the conversion of the synagogue in Devonshire Place, Brighton Technical College, Hove General Hospital and the Parochial offices to highly desirable and interesting dwellings.
Residents who wish to save this building must write.
Points of Objection are:

• These historic buildings are a major asset to the conservation area. What is the point of having conservation areas if we demolish buildings like these?

• Demolition would destroy this architecturally pleasing group of buildings.

• Many children and parents have memories of the buildings and are grateful for the treatment received there.

• The buildings could be converted to residential use without demolition. The Pickford’s Depository in Holland Road and the Hove Hospital are good examples of similar buildings that have been converted for housing.

• The Council is encouraging sustainability. This demolition would be a waste of building materials and require replacement materials for new buildings.

• Demolition and then rebuilding would cause much traffic, noise and disturbance to residents of the area.

• A modern building on this site would have more flats than a conversion of the current building, causing more pressure on local services and increased traffic.

To object, quote both reference numbers: BH2007/02925 (demolition) and BH2007/02926 (3 block build)
email sue.dubberley@brighton-hove.gov.uk , copy info@montpelierandcliftonhill.org Or write* to

Ms. Sue Dubberley
Development Control
Brighton & Hove City Council
Hove Town Hall, Norton Road, Hove, BN3 3BQ

*Please send a copy of your letter to Martin Foster 11 Victoria Street, BN1 3EP if possible