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Fears Brighton marina will turn into ‘mini Benidorm’
Protesters are opposing
a blueprint for the future of
Brighton Marina which they
say sets out a vision for a
"mini Benidorm".
The master plan will guide
developers looking to build at
the marina, which is expected to
become home to at least 3,200
new residents.
Although the planning document,
known as PAN04, will not
be legally binding, Brighton and
Hove City Council says it will
help co-ordinate future development
and guide the regeneration
of the area.
The vision includes a minimum
of 2,000 new homes, shops,
parks, GP surgeries and a primary
school.
Opponents say if the master
plan is agreed it will pave the
way for "civic vandalism".
The council has received
more than 80 letters of objection.
Protesters plan to gather outside
Hove Town Hall today,
when the proposal is to be discussed.
Derek Granger, of Chichester
Terrace and former president of
the Kemp Town Society, said:
"The effect of these proposals
will be to create a monstrous
extension at the eastern end of
the city which will, at a stroke,
destroy much of Brighton's
unique and beautiful physical
setting.
"The famous oblique views of
the chalk cliffs from the west
will be obliterated, as will those
from the eastern cliff path.
"Easterly views along the
beach looking towards the
marina will also disappear, to be
replaced by a massive block on
the marina's western breakwater.
Most importantly of all,
the proposals will have a devastating
effect on the world
renowned Grade I Kemp Town
Estate, one of the finest architectural
assemblies in the country,
with the strategic views
from within the estate being
severely compromised.
"So if PAN04 is approved, it
will pave the way for a mini-
Benidorm, with many tower
blocks jutting aggressively
above the level of the cliffs."
The council has responded to
concerns raised since the document
was first circulated in
November by making a number
of changes.
Officers say the document
offers "ample protection"
against overdevelopment and
any plans to build towers higher
than cliffs will have to meet
planning guidelines and be
approved by the council in its
role as landlord.
An updated version of the
master plan also demands that
five key views are protected or
improved by future development
- the seafront, waterfront,
cliffs, coast and South Downs.
Officers have also called for
better pedestrian routes, using
the successful New Road model
which has reduced traffic and
speeds by removing markings
and pavements.
The Argus revealed on Monday
similar "shared space" projects
were to be introduced to
part of Black Lion Street, and
that three other roads had been
earmarked for the treatment.
The planning document
includes guidelines for Brighton
Marina, Black Rock and the former
nearby gasworks site.
Brunswick Developments has
already received planning permission
for the south-western
area, including 853 flats, shops
and leisure space. The firm has
recently submitted another
planning application for a hotel
on the western breakwater.
Explore Living has also
applied to put up almost 1,300
flats as part of the "inner
harbour scheme", including a
28-storey building.
The Black Rock project
includes an indoor events arena
with two Olympic-size ice rinks
and 111 flats.
Another tall building of more
than six storeys could be built
on the former British Gas site.
The council says the document
is essential to co-ordinate
development at the marina.
In the report to the environment
committee, officers wrote:
"There have been numerous
changes to the document,
including changes to the format
to clarify issues and any misunderstandings
which may have
arisen from the early drafts of
the document.
"It is considered these
changes have resulted in a
clearer and stronger document
that responds to the objections
of the various stakeholder
groups - residents, developers,
landowners and other interested
bodies."
What do you think. Tell us below.
11:31am Thursday 20th March 2008
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CommentPosted by: tobi, hove on 11:44am Thu 20 Mar 08
please no dont do it,benidorm have you been there,please no
please no dont do it,benidorm have you been there,please no
Posted by: censored, Brighton on 11:58am Thu 20 Mar 08
I'm not sure. Is a mini Benidorm better or worse than the mini Slough that's there now?
I'm not sure. Is a mini Benidorm better or worse than the mini Slough that's there now?
Posted by: Reason Marzouk, Brighton on 12:05pm Thu 20 Mar 08
Like we want to know about Marzouk's fantasy island games.
Like we want to know about Marzouk's fantasy island games.
Posted by: Paul, Brighton Born & Bred, Brighton on 12:08pm Thu 20 Mar 08
Whilst I do not pretend to know the detail of the Marina plans, I note that a Primary School will be included.
All well & good if this is deemed necessary by the council (though I no longer have any faith in any of them - regardless of party).
HOWEVER - if these plans go ahead, along with those for the King Alfred, Preston Barracks, Circus Street, completion of City Point etc, then what is the council doing about SECONDARY SCHOOL PROVISION for Central B&H??
The council cannot be allowed to bury their head in the sand over this issue!
Where is the strategy? Where is the plan to obtain funds for the strategy? Where is the demographic modelling to understand exactly what effect the council's drive to build will have on us as current residents & tax-payers?
With no visibility of the above. One can only assume that the council does not have any idea of the situation they are creating & how they will deal with it!!
Come on Council - you are the architects of this Grand Plan - show your electorate how you are managing this effectively!
Whilst I do not pretend to know the detail of the Marina plans, I note that a Primary School will be included.
All well & good if this is deemed necessary by the council (though I no longer have any faith in any of them - regardless of party).
HOWEVER - if these plans go ahead, along with those for the King Alfred, Preston Barracks, Circus Street, completion of City Point etc, then what is the council doing about SECONDARY SCHOOL PROVISION for Central B&H??
The council cannot be allowed to bury their head in the sand over this issue!
Where is the strategy? Where is the plan to obtain funds for the strategy? Where is the demographic modelling to understand exactly what effect the council's drive to build will have on us as current residents & tax-payers?
With no visibility of the above. One can only assume that the council does not have any idea of the situation they are creating & how they will deal with it!!
Come on Council - you are the architects of this Grand Plan - show your electorate how you are managing this effectively!
Posted by: TJW, Brighton on 12:10pm Thu 20 Mar 08
Good - Bring it on..
Anything to make the place more viable.
The place is a dump at the moment.
Good - Bring it on..
Anything to make the place more viable.
The place is a dump at the moment.
Posted by: Paul, Brighton Seafront on 12:34pm Thu 20 Mar 08
[quote]Derek Granger, of Chichester Terrace and former president of the Kemp Town Society, said: "The effect of these proposals will be to create a monstrous extension at the eastern end of the city which will, at a stroke, destroy much of Brighton's unique and beautiful physical setting.
"The famous oblique views of the chalk cliffs from the west will be obliterated, as will those from the eastern cliff path.
"Easterly views along the beach looking towards the marina will also disappear, to be replaced by a massive block on the marina's western breakwater.[/quote]
Unique and beautiful physical setting? Is this man a fruit loop? It is amazing how someone will grasp onto any form of objection, simply because they don’t want something. The whole area is a dump and these plans are very exciting.
Derek Granger, of Chichester Terrace and former president of the Kemp Town Society, said: "The effect of these proposals will be to create a monstrous extension at the eastern end of the city which will, at a stroke, destroy much of Brighton's unique and beautiful physical setting.
"The famous oblique views of the chalk cliffs from the west will be obliterated, as will those from the eastern cliff path.
"Easterly views along the beach looking towards the marina will also disappear, to be replaced by a massive block on the marina's western breakwater.
Unique and beautiful physical setting? Is this man a fruit loop? It is amazing how someone will grasp onto any form of objection, simply because they don’t want something. The whole area is a dump and these plans are very exciting.
Posted by: Terry Tibbs, Office on 12:36pm Thu 20 Mar 08
What exactly is wrong with Benidorm?
Its cheap, cheerful, nice people, vibrant, you name it... Basically the total opp of the DUMP that Brighton and the Marina is now.
Anything which brings the Coasta to the Coast has got to be good!
Also it will be better for the global warming police, as it will mean i havent got to get a plane to go on holiday now!
What exactly is wrong with Benidorm?
Its cheap, cheerful, nice people, vibrant, you name it... Basically the total opp of the DUMP that Brighton and the Marina is now.
Anything which brings the Coasta to the Coast has got to be good!
Also it will be better for the global warming police, as it will mean i havent got to get a plane to go on holiday now!
Posted by: Mark, Brighton on 12:47pm Thu 20 Mar 08
Once again, a whining moan against progress. If this city wants to be part of the 21st Century, it has to stop dwelling incessantly on its grandiose past. It is never going to be Monte Carlo, but it certainly is not Benidorm either - Brighton should set its own standard and embrace the modern age while retaining its current gems. The filthy state of the streets already places it lower than Benidorm, so let's have a clean modern and forward-looking city that everyone can be proud of….
Once again, a whining moan against progress. If this city wants to be part of the 21st Century, it has to stop dwelling incessantly on its grandiose past. It is never going to be Monte Carlo, but it certainly is not Benidorm either - Brighton should set its own standard and embrace the modern age while retaining its current gems. The filthy state of the streets already places it lower than Benidorm, so let's have a clean modern and forward-looking city that everyone can be proud of….
Posted by: Mark, Brighton on 12:49pm Thu 20 Mar 08
[bold]Once again[/bold] , a whining moan against progress. If this city wants to be part of the 21st Century, it has to stop dwelling incessantly on its grandiose past. It is never going to be Monte Carlo, but Brighton should set its own standard and embrace the modern age while retaining its current gems. The filthy state of the streets already places it lower than Benidorm, so let's have a clean modern and forward-looking city that everyone can be proud of….
Once again , a whining moan against progress. If this city wants to be part of the 21st Century, it has to stop dwelling incessantly on its grandiose past. It is never going to be Monte Carlo, but Brighton should set its own standard and embrace the modern age while retaining its current gems. The filthy state of the streets already places it lower than Benidorm, so let's have a clean modern and forward-looking city that everyone can be proud of….
Posted by: caeos on 1:05pm Thu 20 Mar 08
Why not put up a barrage balloon so people can see the full height of this thing
Why not put up a barrage balloon so people can see the full height of this thing
Posted by: Richard, Brighton on 1:12pm Thu 20 Mar 08
[quote][bold]Paul, Brighton Born & Bred[/bold] wrote:
Whilst I do not pretend to know the detail of the Marina plans, I note that a Primary School will be included. All well & good if this is deemed necessary by the council (though I no longer have any faith in any of them - regardless of party). HOWEVER - if these plans go ahead, along with those for the King Alfred, Preston Barracks, Circus Street, completion of City Point etc, then what is the council doing about SECONDARY SCHOOL PROVISION for Central B&H?? The council cannot be allowed to bury their head in the sand over this issue! Where is the strategy? Where is the plan to obtain funds for the strategy? Where is the demographic modelling to understand exactly what effect the council's drive to build will have on us as current residents & tax-payers? With no visibility of the above. One can only assume that the council does not have any idea of the situation they are creating & how they will deal with it!! Come on Council - you are the architects of this Grand Plan - show your electorate how you are managing this effectively![/quote] Fair play on your comments there. What about investment in East Brighton. Some areas like Coldean, going to the Elm grove area need cleaning up and modernising. We also need newer recreational facilities for young people. As a Brightonian, I feel there needs to be a fine balance in the investment. I know why they are investing in the Marina, and that's because they will get the rich toffs from London down here, buying up the gaff!!
Paul, Brighton Born & Bred wrote:
Whilst I do not pretend to know the detail of the Marina plans, I note that a Primary School will be included. All well & good if this is deemed necessary by the council (though I no longer have any faith in any of them - regardless of party). HOWEVER - if these plans go ahead, along with those for the King Alfred, Preston Barracks, Circus Street, completion of City Point etc, then what is the council doing about SECONDARY SCHOOL PROVISION for Central B&H?? The council cannot be allowed to bury their head in the sand over this issue! Where is the strategy? Where is the plan to obtain funds for the strategy? Where is the demographic modelling to understand exactly what effect the council's drive to build will have on us as current residents & tax-payers? With no visibility of the above. One can only assume that the council does not have any idea of the situation they are creating & how they will deal with it!! Come on Council - you are the architects of this Grand Plan - show your electorate how you are managing this effectively!
Fair play on your comments there. What about investment in East Brighton. Some areas like Coldean, going to the Elm grove area need cleaning up and modernising. We also need newer recreational facilities for young people. As a Brightonian, I feel there needs to be a fine balance in the investment. I know why they are investing in the Marina, and that's because they will get the rich toffs from London down here, buying up the gaff!!
Posted by: clive, rottingdean on 1:16pm Thu 20 Mar 08
With any luck Brighton marina will be under water soon if the seas are going to rise like were being led to belive due to global warming!
With any luck Brighton marina will be under water soon if the seas are going to rise like were being led to belive due to global warming!
Posted by: Banana Steve, Banana City on 1:20pm Thu 20 Mar 08
I think the new development is fantastic and I intend to give up my day job to work there, selling fake Gucci belts, rude T-shirts and straw donkeys.
I think the new development is fantastic and I intend to give up my day job to work there, selling fake Gucci belts, rude T-shirts and straw donkeys.
Posted by: FREE HOVE, Hove on 1:33pm Thu 20 Mar 08
I went to Benidorm last year after a 20 year gap with my husband.
The cleanliness was far superior than either Brighton or Hove.
Very smart shops & eateries.
Well kept park areas.
Clean beaches.
Made very welcome where ever we went.
No intimadating & drunken youths..............
..unless from the UK.
1 euro took a person on the whole bus loop of Benidorm,which is a good ride,not the highly inflated bus prices here,with a bus going every 10 mins.
We stayed at a large complex with excellent facilities for all types of visitors.
Can anyone honestly say The Brighton Boulevarde between the 2 piers is delightful ,with all the rubbish there ,dirty tables not cleared etc etc.
Brighton to park,eat,shop and walk about in is dirty and old fashioned.
Time it was moved
into the 21st century.
Just back from Tunisia,equally puts B & H to shame !
I went to Benidorm last year after a 20 year gap with my husband.
The cleanliness was far superior than either Brighton or Hove.
Very smart shops & eateries.
Well kept park areas.
Clean beaches.
Made very welcome where ever we went.
No intimadating & drunken youths..............
..unless from the UK.
1 euro took a person on the whole bus loop of Benidorm,which is a good ride,not the highly inflated bus prices here,with a bus going every 10 mins.
We stayed at a large complex with excellent facilities for all types of visitors.
Can anyone honestly say The Brighton Boulevarde between the 2 piers is delightful ,with all the rubbish there ,dirty tables not cleared etc etc.
Brighton to park,eat,shop and walk about in is dirty and old fashioned.
Time it was moved
into the 21st century.
Just back from Tunisia,equally puts B & H to shame !
Posted by: Noah, The Ark on 1:50pm Thu 20 Mar 08
[quote][bold]clive[/bold] wrote:
With any luck Brighton marina will be under water soon if the seas are going to rise like were being led to belive due to global warming![/quote] Seriously I don't think the Council have properly considered the risk of flooding at the marina. REDICULOUS IDEA to locate even more people down there. It astounds me.
clive wrote:
With any luck Brighton marina will be under water soon if the seas are going to rise like were being led to belive due to global warming!
Seriously I don't think the Council have properly considered the risk of flooding at the marina. REDICULOUS IDEA to locate even more people down there. It astounds me.
Posted by: Nick, Brighton on 1:59pm Thu 20 Mar 08
Let's crack on with it then and not consider various plans for a decade or two like usual
Let's crack on with it then and not consider various plans for a decade or two like usual
Posted by: rb, brighton on 2:08pm Thu 20 Mar 08
it looks very congested and over-built. 28 stories is just OTT. will there be enough open areas, maybe lawns, gardening, trees? and once again the question of infrastructure support comes into play - road, public transport, water and sewage, jobs, adequate school places, and how about some affordable housing (that's really affordable) among these appx. 2,000 flats? the council wants to turn the area into a sterile, trite 'vision' of modernism. show some imagination, it's not all about tourism, shopping and "leisure" (more ways to spend money and collect tax) in this city.
it looks very congested and over-built. 28 stories is just OTT. will there be enough open areas, maybe lawns, gardening, trees? and once again the question of infrastructure support comes into play - road, public transport, water and sewage, jobs, adequate school places, and how about some affordable housing (that's really affordable) among these appx. 2,000 flats? the council wants to turn the area into a sterile, trite 'vision' of modernism. show some imagination, it's not all about tourism, shopping and "leisure" (more ways to spend money and collect tax) in this city.
Posted by: S, hove on 2:43pm Thu 20 Mar 08
Primary School???!!! Anyone parent must agree the first thing you want to do is escape this jam-packed rabbit warren of shoe boxes. its inhuman to bring up kids in blocks of flats - even if they are in a 'posh''cultural' setting. GRRR it makes me mad. Developments like these are more for singles and couples. What about improving things for the rest of the city? Why doesn't the council think about cleaning up the dump Brighton and Hove is becoming instead? our street used to be clean but now its full of shopping trolleys, dumped furniture, dogs**t and rubbish strewn all over. All the houses are being converted to flats by developers and instead of imposing a restriction on it,the greedy council sell too many parking permits. That means if I come home after 5.30 with my 2-year old (say after work) I can't park anywhere in my street. Two out of three of the parks I take my child to are in dire need of TLC as well.Somebody is probably getting a big fat ££ handshake somewhere in all this as usual......
Primary School???!!! Anyone parent must agree the first thing you want to do is escape this jam-packed rabbit warren of shoe boxes. its inhuman to bring up kids in blocks of flats - even if they are in a 'posh''cultural' setting. GRRR it makes me mad. Developments like these are more for singles and couples. What about improving things for the rest of the city? Why doesn't the council think about cleaning up the dump Brighton and Hove is becoming instead? our street used to be clean but now its full of shopping trolleys, dumped furniture, dogs**t and rubbish strewn all over. All the houses are being converted to flats by developers and instead of imposing a restriction on it,the greedy council sell too many parking permits. That means if I come home after 5.30 with my 2-year old (say after work) I can't park anywhere in my street. Two out of three of the parks I take my child to are in dire need of TLC as well.Somebody is probably getting a big fat ££ handshake somewhere in all this as usual......
Posted by: b, Brighton on 2:54pm Thu 20 Mar 08
Mini Benidorm!!! Brighton Marina will be nothing like it...Expensive and crap weather for a start. Or is there a threat of Brits with UJ shorts, beer laced bravado acting stupid a threat!
Mini Benidorm!!! Brighton Marina will be nothing like it...Expensive and crap weather for a start. Or is there a threat of Brits with UJ shorts, beer laced bravado acting stupid a threat!
Posted by: Alfie, Hove on 4:25pm Thu 20 Mar 08
By desecrating the South Downs with the Falmer development the council has shown public opinion doesn't count. If you are in Kemp Town sell now while it's still worth something.
By desecrating the South Downs with the Falmer development the council has shown public opinion doesn't count. If you are in Kemp Town sell now while it's still worth something.
Posted by: never wrong dave, Brighton on 4:29pm Thu 20 Mar 08
I think it looks very nice.But lets face it they never build any of these things,they just talk about it.
I think it looks very nice.But lets face it they never build any of these things,they just talk about it.
Posted by: Falmer, will be great when we have the stadium on 4:33pm Thu 20 Mar 08
[quote][bold]Alfie[/bold] wrote:
By desecrating the South Downs with the Falmer development the council has shown public opinion doesn't count. If you are in Kemp Town sell now while it's still worth something.[/quote] Yawn, time for beddie-byes Alfie.
Alfie wrote:
By desecrating the South Downs with the Falmer development the council has shown public opinion doesn't count. If you are in Kemp Town sell now while it's still worth something.
Yawn, time for beddie-byes Alfie.
Posted by: Bill in Brighton, Brighton on 5:15pm Thu 20 Mar 08
Brighton Marina could easily become the worst super-slum on the south coast, if the high-rise plague is not stopped. This is NOT what the Marina was intended to be. It was about boats, the sea, fresh air, sun, sky and light. Not huge towering concrete hulks. This rubbish is a misguided reactionary throwback to 1960s thinking, which has been totally discredited since that time. Brighton will become High Rise Hell, with all its attendant nightmares, if this is permitted. The greedy developers must never be allowed to destroy our most vital asset: our seafront. If we lose that, we've lost it all. Not to mention all the traffic, pollution, congestion and overcrowding this massive overdevelopment will cause. How will all these people get around? By magic carpet? What will happen if they need medical care? The Royal Sussex Hospital is already exploding from overcrowding. Please, stop these destructive, ill-conceived plans before it's too late. The only ones who will benefit are the greedy developers. If I lived anywhere near there I'd get out now. If any of this goes ahead that area will become pure hell.
Brighton Marina could easily become the worst super-slum on the south coast, if the high-rise plague is not stopped. This is NOT what the Marina was intended to be. It was about boats, the sea, fresh air, sun, sky and light. Not huge towering concrete hulks. This rubbish is a misguided reactionary throwback to 1960s thinking, which has been totally discredited since that time. Brighton will become High Rise Hell, with all its attendant nightmares, if this is permitted. The greedy developers must never be allowed to destroy our most vital asset: our seafront. If we lose that, we've lost it all. Not to mention all the traffic, pollution, congestion and overcrowding this massive overdevelopment will cause. How will all these people get around? By magic carpet? What will happen if they need medical care? The Royal Sussex Hospital is already exploding from overcrowding. Please, stop these destructive, ill-conceived plans before it's too late. The only ones who will benefit are the greedy developers. If I lived anywhere near there I'd get out now. If any of this goes ahead that area will become pure hell.
Posted by: Willie, Hove on 5:38pm Thu 20 Mar 08
What is proposed is very, very scary. This doesn't look anything like progressive design. It looks like an enormous council estate from around forty-odd years ago. Yes, the area is currently a dump! But does that mean the Marina should be used to repeat the worst mistakes of the past? This is an opportunity to do something really wonderful, unique and sensitive, respecting the context of its fantastic seafront setting. Instead the develolpers will turn it into a nasty, grey, dehumanised graveyard filled with huge, ugly, concrete slabs. No doubt there'll be plenty of graffiti to relieve all that faceless concrete. The Marina should be a seaside showcase, not a cheap imitation council estate. What is being proposed is truly tragic. We obviously never learn.....
What is proposed is very, very scary. This doesn't look anything like progressive design. It looks like an enormous council estate from around forty-odd years ago. Yes, the area is currently a dump! But does that mean the Marina should be used to repeat the worst mistakes of the past? This is an opportunity to do something really wonderful, unique and sensitive, respecting the context of its fantastic seafront setting. Instead the develolpers will turn it into a nasty, grey, dehumanised graveyard filled with huge, ugly, concrete slabs. No doubt there'll be plenty of graffiti to relieve all that faceless concrete. The Marina should be a seaside showcase, not a cheap imitation council estate. What is being proposed is truly tragic. We obviously never learn.....
Posted by: Charlie, Hove on 6:00pm Thu 20 Mar 08
Daring to think green for just a minute (!?): How much traffic are all these massive tower-block developments going to generate? How will our city accommodate thousands upon thousands of additional cars, especially along the already-choked seafront road?
As many of the residents of these huge tower-blocks will presumably have to work in London, how will they get to Brighton Station? Can more and longer trains be laid on to accommodate thousands of additional commuters when the Brighton-London line is already jammed way past capacity?
Is anyone even asking these questions? Is anyone at the Council even listening? Does anyone even care? Or is it just a case of "more! bigger! louder!" and we'll worry later?
Daring to think green for just a minute (!?): How much traffic are all these massive tower-block developments going to generate? How will our city accommodate thousands upon thousands of additional cars, especially along the already-choked seafront road?
As many of the residents of these huge tower-blocks will presumably have to work in London, how will they get to Brighton Station? Can more and longer trains be laid on to accommodate thousands of additional commuters when the Brighton-London line is already jammed way past capacity?
Is anyone even asking these questions? Is anyone at the Council even listening? Does anyone even care? Or is it just a case of "more! bigger! louder!" and we'll worry later?
Posted by: D-Jon (Hove), Hove on 6:34pm Thu 20 Mar 08
To those nervous writers who are worried about overcrowded schools, hospitals and commuter trains: stop fretting! C'mon. Let's get real. We all know that the vast bulk of these sky-tickling "residences" will be purchased as second, third or fourth homes of filthy-rich weekend Londoners and overseas buyers. Would any of these people be seen dead (literally) in the Sussex County Hospital? Do they need to commute to mind-numbing office jobs via sardine-can trains from Brighton Station? Do they send their kids to state schools? So all you fretters out there, fret not! The buyers of these lofty properties will surely enjoy their nice, spoilt lives safely above all the mess, congestion, noise and pollution these ginormous mega-developments will create below.
To those nervous writers who are worried about overcrowded schools, hospitals and commuter trains: stop fretting! C'mon. Let's get real. We all know that the vast bulk of these sky-tickling "residences" will be purchased as second, third or fourth homes of filthy-rich weekend Londoners and overseas buyers. Would any of these people be seen dead (literally) in the Sussex County Hospital? Do they need to commute to mind-numbing office jobs via sardine-can trains from Brighton Station? Do they send their kids to state schools? So all you fretters out there, fret not! The buyers of these lofty properties will surely enjoy their nice, spoilt lives safely above all the mess, congestion, noise and pollution these ginormous mega-developments will create below.
Posted by: Wayne, Brighton on 6:51pm Thu 20 Mar 08
What a great idea! Get all the horrid toffs from London to buy places there, and add to the horrid stuck up people that already are there. Then watch it flood taking them down with there ugly modern flats and houses.
What a great idea! Get all the horrid toffs from London to buy places there, and add to the horrid stuck up people that already are there. Then watch it flood taking them down with there ugly modern flats and houses.
Posted by: Otto P., Portslade on 7:26pm Thu 20 Mar 08
Agreed, Wayne. Global warming, climate change, rising sea levels --- yeah, go for it. If it'll just finish off the hideous concrete nightmare they're hoping to foist on our seafront. The Marina horror-blocks, the King Alfred, all the towers-from-hell they're concocting to destroy our city's open seafront. Let all that ugly concrete mess disappear peacefully beneath the waves. Hopefully Mother Nature is listening. The council certainly isn't.
Agreed, Wayne. Global warming, climate change, rising sea levels --- yeah, go for it. If it'll just finish off the hideous concrete nightmare they're hoping to foist on our seafront. The Marina horror-blocks, the King Alfred, all the towers-from-hell they're concocting to destroy our city's open seafront. Let all that ugly concrete mess disappear peacefully beneath the waves. Hopefully Mother Nature is listening. The council certainly isn't.
Posted by: David, Hove on 8:06pm Thu 20 Mar 08
Who cares what they do with Whitehawk Docks. The place is already a toilet so cramming more people in it will only add to the over development which is already apparent
Who cares what they do with Whitehawk Docks. The place is already a toilet so cramming more people in it will only add to the over development which is already apparent
Posted by: chris, Hove on 9:23pm Thu 20 Mar 08
Whitehawk Docks?? Perfect!!! So then why make something horrible a hundred times worse? Not to mention a hundred times bigger?
Why can't we have something really wonderful & beautiful there, instead of the biggest concrete towerblock council estate imaginable?
Why must everything here be so trashy? Why do we revel in that? Brighton & Hove should rename itself Masochist City. We must really hate ourselves. Especially if we allow these vile developers and their political cronies to bury us under mountains of '60s-style concrete. If we allow it, we deserve it.
Whitehawk Docks?? Perfect!!! So then why make something horrible a hundred times worse? Not to mention a hundred times bigger?
Why can't we have something really wonderful & beautiful there, instead of the biggest concrete towerblock council estate imaginable?
Why must everything here be so trashy? Why do we revel in that? Brighton & Hove should rename itself Masochist City. We must really hate ourselves. Especially if we allow these vile developers and their political cronies to bury us under mountains of '60s-style concrete. If we allow it, we deserve it.
Posted by: Steve, Hove on 9:51pm Thu 20 Mar 08
I recently saw Benidorm for the first time. And hopefully the last time. What a HORROR. The stereotypical highrise concrete jungle, with faceless tower after tower, one block bigger and uglier than the next. The Spanish coast being hot and sunny, at least the sunlight does manage to seep through, and in the heat people actually appreciate the shadows these monster-blocks create. The same certainly cannot be said for Brighton. Just imagine that endless phalanx of gargantuan grey cement slabs...in our winter. Derek Granger and others who wisely oppose the Benidorming of our seafront have got it all wrong. It won't be a "mini" Benidorm. It will be just like the charming original. Every bit as huge, gross, ugly, overpowering and ghastly.
I recently saw Benidorm for the first time. And hopefully the last time. What a HORROR. The stereotypical highrise concrete jungle, with faceless tower after tower, one block bigger and uglier than the next. The Spanish coast being hot and sunny, at least the sunlight does manage to seep through, and in the heat people actually appreciate the shadows these monster-blocks create. The same certainly cannot be said for Brighton. Just imagine that endless phalanx of gargantuan grey cement slabs...in our winter. Derek Granger and others who wisely oppose the Benidorming of our seafront have got it all wrong. It won't be a "mini" Benidorm. It will be just like the charming original. Every bit as huge, gross, ugly, overpowering and ghastly.
Posted by: Green C, Brighton on 10:24pm Thu 20 Mar 08
Brighton desperately wants to be thought of as so progressive and "green". Yet when it comes to these massive tower block overdevelopments such as the Marina and the King Alfred, "green, shmeen". To hell with all that! Just pile up as much concrete as possible, with absolutely no regard for the environmental consequences. Heap thousands of individuals and families into flimsy, matchbox sized flats, creating slum densities. Don't give a toss where children are meant to play. They can always play in the lifts. To hell with medical, education and transport issues. Pack those wards, jam those trains, overwhelm those schools. Who cares! Gleefully submerge the entire area in thousands upon thousands of additional cars, hopefully many of them 4X4s. Yes, folks, this is "green" Brighton & Hove. Loopy? We're all loopy, if we allow this to happen.
Brighton desperately wants to be thought of as so progressive and "green". Yet when it comes to these massive tower block overdevelopments such as the Marina and the King Alfred, "green, shmeen". To hell with all that! Just pile up as much concrete as possible, with absolutely no regard for the environmental consequences. Heap thousands of individuals and families into flimsy, matchbox sized flats, creating slum densities. Don't give a toss where children are meant to play. They can always play in the lifts. To hell with medical, education and transport issues. Pack those wards, jam those trains, overwhelm those schools. Who cares! Gleefully submerge the entire area in thousands upon thousands of additional cars, hopefully many of them 4X4s. Yes, folks, this is "green" Brighton & Hove. Loopy? We're all loopy, if we allow this to happen.
Posted by: Kim, Brighton - UK & Australia on 11:04pm Thu 20 Mar 08
Erm excuse me...I own a flat in the Marina and it is not a dump! I'm currently overseas at present but keep a keen eye on the area. Granted, the shopping area desperately needs an overhaul but I'm against all this high-rise development as it makes the whole Marina overcrowded. They say they take into consideration the sewage issues etc but I can't see how you can build another 3k flats and not have infrastructure problems. As said the Marina was for boats initially with some housing. Let it stay that way, develop the shops and maybe some additional flats but please don't let them destroy the place with another possible 6k people living there - it will sink! By the way many of these new developments don't allow for many car spaces so that means visitors will be parking around what little back street parking there is! There is a lot that could be done in the Marina to perk it up, paint the concrete, put some green and trees in place but 3k new dwellings is not the answer to the Marinas problems. High rents in the shopping area is probably the main issue - why go for outlet shops all the time, what's wrong with normal shops? About time X-Leisure addressed these issues - oh and by the way get rid of the plastic palms. I'm in Brighton, Melbourne at the moment and we have real palms and they look much nicer.
Erm excuse me...I own a flat in the Marina and it is not a dump! I'm currently overseas at present but keep a keen eye on the area. Granted, the shopping area desperately needs an overhaul but I'm against all this high-rise development as it makes the whole Marina overcrowded. They say they take into consideration the sewage issues etc but I can't see how you can build another 3k flats and not have infrastructure problems. As said the Marina was for boats initially with some housing. Let it stay that way, develop the shops and maybe some additional flats but please don't let them destroy the place with another possible 6k people living there - it will sink! By the way many of these new developments don't allow for many car spaces so that means visitors will be parking around what little back street parking there is! There is a lot that could be done in the Marina to perk it up, paint the concrete, put some green and trees in place but 3k new dwellings is not the answer to the Marinas problems. High rents in the shopping area is probably the main issue - why go for outlet shops all the time, what's wrong with normal shops? About time X-Leisure addressed these issues - oh and by the way get rid of the plastic palms. I'm in Brighton, Melbourne at the moment and we have real palms and they look much nicer.
Posted by: SillyMe, hove on 12:16am Fri 21 Mar 08
Brighton becoming Benidorm..so silly..we don't have any sun.!! The only reason l would go to the Marina would be to go to Asda. The shops are so 'abstract'. and the pubs are tacky. Restaurants overpriced. Seems to me it can't make up it's mind 'Whitehawk or Sussex Square..whitehawk or Sussex sq..etc etc.
Brighton becoming Benidorm..so silly..we don't have any sun.!! The only reason l would go to the Marina would be to go to Asda. The shops are so 'abstract'. and the pubs are tacky. Restaurants overpriced. Seems to me it can't make up it's mind 'Whitehawk or Sussex Square..whitehawk or Sussex sq..etc etc.
Posted by: cqw, hove on 7:54am Fri 21 Mar 08
Too true! Submerging Brighton Marina under tons of high rise concrete won't turn it into cheery, sun drenched Benidorm (ugly as it may be).
All that will result in Brighton is another grim, dreary, Sixties-style housing estate that may be demolished in around thirty years' time. Just like some of the others have.
Hopefully by then we may (?????) have finally learned our lesson about tower block estates. For now, the very sad lessons of the Sixties tower block mania seem to have already been lost. Shame.
We now have a great chance to transform Brighton Marina into a lovely, human space designed for people. Not for cars. Nor some cold, outmoded 'modernist concept' that looks so shiny on a computer screen.....but doesn't work for mortal human beings.
Why did we stop building tower block estates around thirty-five years ago? Because they were a total disaster. Been, there. Done that. Seen the sad result. So......let's do it again!
Of course, the council will see to it that the developers prevail and we'll get yet another inhuman Slab City. They can pack thousands more victims in that way.
Too true! Submerging Brighton Marina under tons of high rise concrete won't turn it into cheery, sun drenched Benidorm (ugly as it may be).
All that will result in Brighton is another grim, dreary, Sixties-style housing estate that may be demolished in around thirty years' time. Just like some of the others have.
Hopefully by then we may (?????) have finally learned our lesson about tower block estates. For now, the very sad lessons of the Sixties tower block mania seem to have already been lost. Shame.
We now have a great chance to transform Brighton Marina into a lovely, human space designed for people. Not for cars. Nor some cold, outmoded 'modernist concept' that looks so shiny on a computer screen.....but doesn't work for mortal human beings.
Why did we stop building tower block estates around thirty-five years ago? Because they were a total disaster. Been, there. Done that. Seen the sad result. So......let's do it again!
Of course, the council will see to it that the developers prevail and we'll get yet another inhuman Slab City. They can pack thousands more victims in that way.
Posted by: Keith Kettlewell, Bristol on 10:22am Fri 21 Mar 08
Oh my God ! Please , if the planners have any soul and feeling let not this monstrosity ever come to pass . People come to Brighton for its old world charm to to visit a sort of Las Vegas . Imagine this in Saint Marks Square venice for instance ?!
Oh my God ! Please , if the planners have any soul and feeling let not this monstrosity ever come to pass . People come to Brighton for its old world charm to to visit a sort of Las Vegas . Imagine this in Saint Marks Square venice for instance ?!
Posted by: neil woodcock, brighton palma bangkok on 12:05pm Fri 21 Mar 08
a mini benidorm sounds rather nice. benidorm is no longer what it was like in the 70's. Spain has been very smart in improving cities such as benidorm, torremolinos. don't knock it til you've been.
a mini benidorm sounds rather nice. benidorm is no longer what it was like in the 70's. Spain has been very smart in improving cities such as benidorm, torremolinos. don't knock it til you've been.
Posted by: Benny Minidorm on 12:30pm Fri 21 Mar 08
I'd like to live in a mini Benidorm.
I'd like to live in a mini Benidorm.
Posted by: Minnie Benidorm on 12:59pm Fri 21 Mar 08
Benny, will you marry me?
Benny, will you marry me?
Posted by: Davie, Hove on 6:21pm Fri 21 Mar 08
Good point!
I've very recently been to Torremolinos, and I'm definitely NOT knocking it. It would be TERRIFIC if the plans for the Marina reflected what's happening there.
The latest planning policy there is simple: No More High Rises.
The most recent developments there (such as the new Marina at Benalmadena) are low rise structures designed to work within the context of their seafront surroundings. And they work very nicely indeed!
The day of the dismal concrete tower slab blocks is (thankfully) long dead. Nobody does that anymore. What is planned for Brighton Marina is a pathetic throwback to the worst of the tired, outdated, 1960s rubbish. The stuff everybody hated, and later regretted.
Shame on Brighton's planners (if that's what they call themselves) for even thinking about that drivel anymore. Please: get a calendar. It's 2008. Not 1963.
Good point!
I've very recently been to Torremolinos, and I'm definitely NOT knocking it. It would be TERRIFIC if the plans for the Marina reflected what's happening there.
The latest planning policy there is simple: No More High Rises.
The most recent developments there (such as the new Marina at Benalmadena) are low rise structures designed to work within the context of their seafront surroundings. And they work very nicely indeed!
The day of the dismal concrete tower slab blocks is (thankfully) long dead. Nobody does that anymore. What is planned for Brighton Marina is a pathetic throwback to the worst of the tired, outdated, 1960s rubbish. The stuff everybody hated, and later regretted.
Shame on Brighton's planners (if that's what they call themselves) for even thinking about that drivel anymore. Please: get a calendar. It's 2008. Not 1963.
Posted by: stig of the dump, Brighton Marina on 5:19pm Tue 25 Mar 08
Yes, I am a stig of the dump, I live on the marina.
Bring on global warming, drown me and my snobby friends, cause we have only worked hard to buy our nasty flats in a nasty area. We don't pay tax, or council tax.... drown us now to save us from our marina land owners, our lovely caring council and the lovely people who write such nice things about us....
Who cares that we are real people with real lives, that just doesn't matter at all... we are after all scum...
Yes, I am a stig of the dump, I live on the marina.
Bring on global warming, drown me and my snobby friends, cause we have only worked hard to buy our nasty flats in a nasty area. We don't pay tax, or council tax.... drown us now to save us from our marina land owners, our lovely caring council and the lovely people who write such nice things about us....
Who cares that we are real people with real lives, that just doesn't matter at all... we are after all scum...
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