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| 26th July 2010 The Ghost Bus, there is now a petition
You may remember the news item below, and many of you expressed strong opinions about it at the time There is now a petition you can sign for the abolition of this costly and unnecessary service, by going to the BHCC Petitions website at: If you have not registered for petition signing, you will have to do so by following the instructions.
THE FRIENDS OF PALMEIRA AND ADELAIDE ****LOCAL NEWS****
Ghost bus route costs Council over £90,000 per year
You may have noticed the Bus 11X which shuttles along the seafront between Bartholomew Square and Kings House as a facility for Council workers. You may also have noticed that it is usually empty. It has emerged that this service costs the Council over £90,000 per year to run, when there are frequent buses along Western Road only a short walk from both offices. The East Brunswick Residents Association is campaigning for the removal of this wasteful expenditure from the Council's hard-pressed budget. Please consider supporting them by going to their website and "having your say".
24th July 2010 Gas main replacement
It seems that the information on the blog was incorrect. Letters from Southern Gas have started to arrive this morning to say that the work will be in October and last for about eight weeks
23rd July 2010 Gas main replacement
We have just heard that major gas main replacement work is to start on the west side of Palmeira Square next week on Monday 26th July and may last for three weeks.
Our Ward Councillor's blog of today states: The properties currently served by the existing main are experiencing gas pressure problems and to rectify this Southern Gas need to replace their existing main in Palmeira Square (western leg). To facilitate these works and to avoid temporary traffic signals to control the traffic past the works it is intended to temporarily introduce one-way traffic northbound in this leg of Palmeira Square. The eastern leg will remain as two-way working thereby maintaining reasonable access to the square. The works will also require the suspension of some of the on street parking bays but this will be kept to a minimum by the contractors working in several short lengths rather than open up the entire length of the new main. Information letters will be delivered to local residents by Southern Gas informing them of the proposals.
We have not so far seen any letters to residents.
20th July 2010 Barbeques and the Byelaws
A number of members have asked us to clarify the situation with regard to barbeques in the gardens.
Both our gardens are still technically covered by the Hove Borough Byelaws, as displayed on the board on the east side of the Square. These include a restriction on the lighting of fires, but bearing in mind when these were written it is generally accepted that barbeques were not under consideration. Since the amalgamation of the two Councils in 1997, the validity of these byelaws, and thus the political and practical will to enforce them, has become diminished. The new Council procrastinated for years about implementing new byelaws despite pressure from local groups across the City, including FOPA, and in 2006 their legal department called a halt to the process; there has been no action since. The "No BBQ" signs in both gardens were put up in response to pressure from residents, but in fact have no legal status.
Apart from burnt grass, smoke and the smell of singing meat filling the gardens, we are actually not suffering as badly as some public parks across the City, in response to which the Brighton and Hove Environmental Action Group has been formed. This group arose to address the excessive damage now being done to Stanmer Park. They have drawn up a draft set of byelaws for public spaces across the City and will be sending this as a deputation to the Environmental Cabinet on 26 July. We have been consulted on this by BHEAG and have added some comments. If successful this should get the ball rolling on a measure of control, though enforcement will inevitably be a major issue.
As far as FOPA is concerned, it is the damage to the grass that is our main concern, easily avoided by responsible use of equipment. We are aware that there are widely differing views amongst our members about barbeques in the gardens, and for that reason we have so far taken no side on this. We do not consider it our job to dictate how people should enjoy themselves in these lovely gardens, unless damage is caused.
19th July 2010 Results of noisy event survey
Following complaints about the Paddle Round The Pier event on Hove Lawns over the weekend of 3rd and 4th July, we invited Members to contact us if they considered the noise level to have been too high.
Our Local Members e-mailing list currently numbers 117 households. Of these we received 19 replies, suggesting that the vast majority did not consider the noise level to have been too high. Of the 19 responses, 13 thought the event was too noisy and 6 thought it was acceptable, 3 with the provision that it was only twice a year.
From this we conclude, insofar as a survey of this kind can do so, that the majority of Members were prepared to accept the noise level over that weekend.
Thank you to all of you who took the trouble to respond; this was most helpful.
7th July 2010 Planning Applications in Holland Road
There are currently a number of adjoining Planning Applications in Holland Road, facing the Floral Clock gardens, which may be of interest to you.
63 Holland Road - the former Festive Restaurant This important site, with long views along Church Road, has been the subject of multiple Planning Applications over the last ten years, culminating in a Consent issued last November for a new five storey building with commercial premises at ground floor and flats above. There is also an updated variation to this, currently awaiting Consent, which can be seen at the BHCC online Planning Register under Ref: BH2010/00814, and it is likely that this will be the finished building. Following years of unsatisfactory Applications, the current proposal is a great improvement and FOPA have welcomed it, though objected to a recent Application by the developer to waive certain important Conditions which would directly affect the quality of life for adjoining residents during construction work.
61 Holland Road - the former Michael Norman Antiques shop The beautifully detailed rear extension to Palmeira Grande is currently the subject of an Application for Change of Use from A1 to D1 for a specialist dental clinic. No architectural changes are proposed other than discreet non-illuminated signage. FOPA asked for more information about the proposed treatment of the windows either side of the entrance, which are shown as having a translucent film on the inside with a bold pattern. We hope this will not repeat the blanked-out opaque window look of Tesco, so deadening in a vibrant high street location.
Tesco There has been a lot of talk recently about Tesco considering a backward extension of the Palmeira Grande shop or either a move to or an opening in addition at the present Providence Bar between Brunswick Road and York Road. There is, as yet, no reliable information to go on, but if the Change of Use and occupation of 61 Holland Road goes ahead this will effectively stop any backward extension of Tesco. Whether this will force a move to the Providence remains to be seen.
7th July 2010 Come and see one of the best gardens in the Square 24th July - don't miss it
Mike and Betty Ringer's back garden at 6 Palmeira Square is particularly splendid this year and they are offering members and other residents a chance to see it on Saturday 24th July from 10.30 to 12.30 with coffee provided. If you can find the time to drop by don't miss this, it's an amazing sight.
6th July 2010 Over this last weekend we received a number of complaints about the noise level from the music tent on the seafront facing the Crescent, part of the Paddle Round the Pier event on the Lawns. We would like to know how many of our members consider the noise level to have been unacceptably high. If you think it was, please let us know by emailing Friends of Palmeira and Adelaide - fopa@mistral.co.uk . Unacceptable noise levels can be reported to the Council as follows: Daytime Monday to Friday - 01273 292929 Our of Hours (for something like a car alarm) - 01273 292229 To request a visit by the Noise Patrol between 10pm and 3am on Friday and Saturday nights - 01273 293541
5th July 2010 New website design
As you know, Friends of Palmeira and Adelaide works hard to promote the interests of local residents. We are now in the process of re-designing and re-writing our website (www.fopa.co.uk) so that it fully reflects the area’s rich heritage, and all that we are doing and hope to achieve.
Up until now, it has been run by one of our members, who has done a great job despite a lack of specialised knowledge. We are now hoping to find among our residents someone who is an experienced web person who can expertly take us to the next phase, injecting a new dynamism into the design and allowing us to regularly update the site with all the latest developments and events. Ideally, this person should be comfortable with managing functionality of CMS and membership sites, such as a blog as a forum for residents’ concerns, and newsfeeds. Our sister organisation, Friends of Brunswick Square and Terrace, have a splendid new website (www.fbst.org.uk) and we must keep up! If you think you can help, please let us know. We are all volunteers, have a working group exploring options for the future of the site and hope you will be able to join us.
4th July 2010 Two events coming soon Picnic Sunday and City in Bloom Monday
Over this weekend we shall be delivering the attached flyer to all buildings in Palmeira Square and Adelaide Crescent, advertising our bring-your-own picnic in Adelaide gardens on Sunday 11th and the City in Bloom inspection on Monday 12th.
Do please tell as many local residents as you can about the picnic. Between 12 and 2 we shall be giving each picnic group a free raffle ticket, and at 2 we shall give out prizes of a bottle of wine to the first six numbers drawn. If it rains, we just do it all on the 18th instead!
Monday 12th is an important day for us. The Brunswick area has applied for the City in Bloom prize for 2010, and we are to be inspected here at midday. If we are to win we must try not to have recycling boxes and black rubbish bags disfiguring the Square and Crescent. Please be vigilant and either take these in or make sure they are not put out until Monday evening ready for Tuesday. Please try and persuade your neighbours to do the same. Anything else you can do to make our lovely Square and Crescent look their absolute best for midday will be so much appreciated.
Thank you from everybody at FOPA
18th June Police contact improved
Our local Police Community Support Officer, Julie Wornham, now has a page at the Sussex Police website, where you can also send her a message. This is a useful page to bookmark ; you never know when it may be needed.
Go to: and click on her image.
You can also meet her in person at the Cornerstone Centre. The next opportunity is 24th June as shown on her page.
9th June Police warning about burglaries
The Police have issued the following message to local Neighbourhood Watch Co-ordinators:
Unfortunately there has recently been an increase in burglaries in the Central Hove area. Insecure properties have been heavily targeted. This relates to the warmer weather as residents continue to leave doors and windows open. Incidents often take place during night time or early morning hours. Please remind your members to lock doors and windows when they leave a room and to remove valuables from sight. Thank you, Neighbourhood Policing Team
4th June 2010 FOPA News Local Action Team Meeting
The regular local meeting with the Police took place at the Cornerstone on Tuesday evening. FOPA's representative made the following notes: - Graffiti has been removed or painted over in Waterloo St. Advise police of any graffiti that needs attention.
- Alcohol licences in the area are regularly checked by police at the rate of 14 per month.
- Blue badges are checked regularly and 3 have been confiscated for misuse in the last 3 months.
- Two drug warrants have been issued in response to information from LAT members.
- The police are leaving a bike in the area with a tracker device to help catch bike thieves.
- Crime figures for burglary, vehicle theft and anti social behaviour are similar to last 3 months totalling 118. Warning again to keep doors and windows locked.
- Theft of lighting columns and lights. Report any suspicious action.
- Police to visit local language schools to discourage large gatherings of noisy students in the squares particularly late at night.
- The police handed out various literature and also a help alarm for elderly that automatically dials a number in an emergency. A limited number are available from the police free of charge.
23rd May 2010 THIEVES ARE STEALING STREET LIGHTS LIKE OURS PLEASE WATCH OUT AND TELL THE POLICE
Thieves are using heavy machinery to steal street lanterns around Brighton and Hove. More than 60 lanterns have been stolen in the last week. It is thought they may be being sold on, or broken up for scrap. The City Council said the thefts have left live wires exposed and plunged some areas into darkness. A spokeswoman said: "Many of the lanterns stolen are originals, although thieves have also taken modern replacements. "To ensure safety, the council’s street lighting contractor Colas is disconnecting the electricity on columns found to be missing their lanterns." Jeff Elliott, the council's highway services manager, said: “The thieves must be using a cherry picker type of vehicle to get at the lanterns, so should be easy to spot. They are also risking being electrocuted as the wiring is all live. “Police and council officers are patrolling the areas in an attempt to catch the thieves red handed, but we’re appealing to the public to help us by keeping a lookout too.” The council said the only vehicles that should be used to access street lanterns belong to Colas, which use bright yellow and red vehicles that have Brighton and Hove and East Sussex councils’ logos. No other vehicles are authorised to work on them. Anyone who sees anything suspicious or has information about the missing lanterns is asked to call Sussex Police on 0845 6070999, quoting serial number 876 of May 12. 22nd May 2010
15th May 2010 EVENTS ON HOVE LAWNS THIS SUMMER
22-23 May --- Spring Food Fair 7-8 August --- French Continental Market 27-30 August --- French Continental Market 25-26 Sept --- World Food Market
5th May 2010
Grant of variation to License for A'maze bar and club, 73A Western Road
This new bar and club is situated in the basements of 18 and 19 Palmeira Square, with entrance from Western Road. The owners applied to vary the existing License, extending the hours to 1am on Sunday to Thursday and 2am on Friday and Saturday. The club will include what are described as "karaoke/entertainment rooms" located against the party wall with 20 Palmeira Square, and which are soundproofed. FOPA submitted an objection, on the grounds of noise nuisance both within the club and outside as customers leave in the small hours. Following this, the owners invited a number of adjoining neighbours to a demonstration of the soundproofing, which appeared to be reasonably effective.
Having taken due notice of our comments, the Council have decided to grant this application with the following Conditions: 1) No regulated entertainment in the bar area. 2) All speakers in the karaoke/entertainment bars on the party walls with neighbouring flats in Western Road and Palmeira Square shall be on anti-vibration mounts. 3) All amplified singing and music in the karaoke/entertainment rooms against the party walls with the neighbouring flats in Western Road and Palmeira Square to be controlled by a sound limiting device which is set and maintained at a level agreed by the local authority. 4) All doors serving the karaoke/entertainment rooms shall be kept closed while regulated entertainment is in progress. 5) No waste to be put out or collected between 10pm and 8am.
The letter advising us of this decision was signed by: Tim Nichols Head of Environmental Health and Licensing Bartholomew House Bartholomew Square Brighton BN1 1JP Tel: 01273 294429
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