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Trashed flats now resemble 'ghetto'
Councillors have called for an
inquiry after housing refurbished
using public cash was trashed.
Brighton and Hove City Council
spent £300,000 of Government grants
on the self-contained flats, which are
used for temporary housing in two
listed buildings in Brunswick Place
in Hove.
But the accommodation - for vulnerable
people who would otherwise be
homeless - doesn't have any security
staff and neighbours have complained
about antisocial behaviour and damage
to the properties.
Photographs sent to The Argus show
what appears to be blood on the floor,
smashed windows, broken glass and
swastikas scrawled on walls.
The council says the damage was
caused by one individual and has since
been repaired.
But Brunswick Place resident Judy
Nicholas, 56, told The Argus: "It is quite
irresponsible to have left all these
people and not monitored the situation
as closely as they should have."
On Tuesday, a meeting was held
between council officials, ward councillors,
police and Brunswick Place
residents to discuss the problems.
Tim Pope, 52, a father-of-two who set
up Brunswick Place residents' association,
said: "The council refurbished
both buildings at a huge cost and to the
highest specification.
"However, it has become a ghetto in
there as the result of the behaviour of
just a few residents. Most of the people
there want to live in peace.
"I fully accept that people have to go
somewhere and I am very supportive of
that. My argument throughout has
been the council's management and
supervision.
"I am pleased it is finally taking the
situation seriously but it has taken a
member of the public to go in there for
action to be taken."
Paul Elgood, Liberal Democrat councillor
for Brunswick and Adelaide
ward, said: "The council should have
put 24-hour security in there to prevent
this from happening.
"I am asking for a public inquiry to
be held into what went wrong."
Councillor David Watkins, who also
represents the ward, added his support
for an inquiry.
He said: "The council needs to react
very quickly on this."
A spokesman for Brighton and Hove
City Council said the accommodation
previously housed people with mental
health problems and was staffed, but it
stopped being used for that purpose in
December when the council acknowledged
clients' behaviour was a problem.
"We've said to the neighbours we'll
come back with some options to look
into how resources are managed in the
area, given that Brunswick is one of the
most densely populated areas and has
several facilities in close proximity, all
housing single, vulnerable people.
"It may be a case of looking into any
behavioural problems at this building
or it may require an area approach
given the other facilities in the neighbourhood,
for example St Patrick's
night shelter, all of which add to
the concentration of single, homeless
people in a relatively small area.
"We'll continue working to address
any concerns."
What do you think the council should do? Tell us below.
9:37am Thursday 27th March 2008
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CommentPosted by: Dave, At home on 9:43am Thu 27 Mar 08
What the Council needs to do is to get its act together, ot only for these flats but for everything else as well, I see my Council tax has risen again and will expect even less this year than I got in the last one.
What the Council needs to do is to get its act together, ot only for these flats but for everything else as well, I see my Council tax has risen again and will expect even less this year than I got in the last one.
Posted by: jez, Bruns Place on 9:48am Thu 27 Mar 08
This has been a total nightmare for us long suffering residents. Yes it needs a public inquiry and heads should roll.
Thank goodness someone is acting.
I dispute that the council spent £300,000 on this - there are infact two buildings in the road, so you can double that to at leats £600,000. I'd have loved to live there - no expense spared. And these poeople just trashed it overnight.
The councillors got the 24 hour security put on last year - what happend to it?
The police were there again last night after a late night rave - what was happening?
This has been a total nightmare for us long suffering residents. Yes it needs a public inquiry and heads should roll.
Thank goodness someone is acting.
I dispute that the council spent £300,000 on this - there are infact two buildings in the road, so you can double that to at leats £600,000. I'd have loved to live there - no expense spared. And these poeople just trashed it overnight.
The councillors got the 24 hour security put on last year - what happend to it?
The police were there again last night after a late night rave - what was happening?
Posted by: matt, Hove on 9:52am Thu 27 Mar 08
This is an absolute disgrace. How do people get away with wrecking builings like this? Weren't the Council monitoring the building? It seems to me that the council has a lot to answer for as I expect not having security was a cost saving move. Meanwhile us residents suffer.
This is an absolute disgrace. How do people get away with wrecking builings like this? Weren't the Council monitoring the building? It seems to me that the council has a lot to answer for as I expect not having security was a cost saving move. Meanwhile us residents suffer.
Posted by: kiwi bro, puinui road on 9:52am Thu 27 Mar 08
[quote][bold]Dave[/bold] wrote:
What the Council needs to do is to get its act together, ot only for these flats but for everything else as well, I see my Council tax has risen again and will expect even less this year than I got in the last one.[/quote] ot is the point you are making here dave? taxes have always been to high and risin bro. come an live with us in puinui road, we dont pay no taxes//-)
Dave wrote:
What the Council needs to do is to get its act together, ot only for these flats but for everything else as well, I see my Council tax has risen again and will expect even less this year than I got in the last one.
ot is the point you are making here dave? taxes have always been to high and risin bro. come an live with us in puinui road, we dont pay no taxes//-)
Posted by: Flat Foot Soozie, Brunswick Square on 9:55am Thu 27 Mar 08
People who trash houses given them do not deserve housing. They should not be so egotistical but reflect that there are many people in the world who have scarcely a tent in which to live -and little to eat.
People who trash houses given them do not deserve housing. They should not be so egotistical but reflect that there are many people in the world who have scarcely a tent in which to live -and little to eat.
Posted by: kiwi bro, puinui road on 9:58am Thu 27 Mar 08
its a disgrace for sure. wots 600,000 of your pommie pounds in nz $$? councilers always waste your taxes. thats why we dont pay any.
its a disgrace for sure. wots 600,000 of your pommie pounds in nz $$? councilers always waste your taxes. thats why we dont pay any.
Posted by: mark, B&H on 10:02am Thu 27 Mar 08
[bold]Can we have confirmation that the council has removed the swastikas from its own buildings?[/bold] It is appalling that the council has allowed such racists graffitti in one of their buildings, especially one for vulnerable homeless people. I am extremely offended by this and call on the Police to prosecute.
Can we have confirmation that the council has removed the swastikas from its own buildings? It is appalling that the council has allowed such racists graffitti in one of their buildings, especially one for vulnerable homeless people. I am extremely offended by this and call on the Police to prosecute.
Posted by: kiwi bro on 10:18am Thu 27 Mar 08
you dudes all gone back to sleep in england? or yo still stuffin your bacon an eggs?
you dudes all gone back to sleep in england? or yo still stuffin your bacon an eggs?
Posted by: puddingandpi, brighton on 10:26am Thu 27 Mar 08
I was housed on Brunswick Road after I was made homeless. Some of the people in the same house as me were disgusting. I found needles in bathrooms used by children. Residents treated the house with utter contempt, breaking doors & walls. They started to break the ornate cast iron stair banisters & throw them into the street, which stopped only when the police arrived.They had set about destroying a beautiful Georgian house, for no reason other than "well it's not mine, I don't care".
I was not surprised these people were homeless as I wouldn't have them in my property. They should've been evicted & left to fend for themselves the scummy bastards.
I was housed on Brunswick Road after I was made homeless. Some of the people in the same house as me were disgusting. I found needles in bathrooms used by children. Residents treated the house with utter contempt, breaking doors & walls. They started to break the ornate cast iron stair banisters & throw them into the street, which stopped only when the police arrived.They had set about destroying a beautiful Georgian house, for no reason other than "well it's not mine, I don't care".
I was not surprised these people were homeless as I wouldn't have them in my property. They should've been evicted & left to fend for themselves the scummy bastards.
Posted by: kiwi bro, puinui road on 10:44am Thu 27 Mar 08
[quote][bold]mark[/bold] wrote:
[bold]Can we have confirmation that the council has removed the swastikas from its own buildings?[/bold] It is appalling that the council has allowed such racists graffitti in one of their buildings, especially one for vulnerable homeless people. I am extremely offended by this and call on the Police to prosecute. [/quote] just popped round mark (teleported actually) afraid not chum swastikas in abundance ol chap. i shot a bloke last week for tagging my fence. he wont come back round here eh. you should join our gang bro.
mark wrote:
Can we have confirmation that the council has removed the swastikas from its own buildings? It is appalling that the council has allowed such racists graffitti in one of their buildings, especially one for vulnerable homeless people. I am extremely offended by this and call on the Police to prosecute.
just popped round mark (teleported actually) afraid not chum swastikas in abundance ol chap. i shot a bloke last week for tagging my fence. he wont come back round here eh. you should join our gang bro.
Posted by: Sickofitall, Brighton & Hove on 11:00am Thu 27 Mar 08
Rather than wasting yet more money on an enquiry, how about actually spending council tax to benefit of those that actually [bold]pay[/bold] it?
Or is this too radical an idea for the useless muppets we call a council?
Rather than wasting yet more money on an enquiry, how about actually spending council tax to benefit of those that actually
pay it?
Or is this too radical an idea for the useless muppets we call a council?
Posted by: winky wonky, Brighton on 11:09am Thu 27 Mar 08
Its easy to see why these people re homeless in the first place. They should be given some old prefab barracks in the middle of nowhere where they can act like the jeremy kyle pigs that they are.
Its easy to see why these people re homeless in the first place. They should be given some old prefab barracks in the middle of nowhere where they can act like the jeremy kyle pigs that they are.
Posted by: No, Way on 11:30am Thu 27 Mar 08
so fed up with this. the scum in the UK need dealing with. i can't take this anymore. starting the revolution. now.
so fed up with this. the scum in the UK need dealing with. i can't take this anymore. starting the revolution. now.
Posted by: Fred, brighton on 11:31am Thu 27 Mar 08
They are homeless because they are antisocial. We own them nothing, and we dont want our taxes spent on them.Put them all on a bus, and take them to the edge of town and sling them out. If somebody out there donst like that idea, then let them take a couple in. Its about time the people in Brunswick Place, were given a break.P.S. and Cambridge Rd.
They are homeless because they are antisocial. We own them nothing, and we dont want our taxes spent on them.Put them all on a bus, and take them to the edge of town and sling them out. If somebody out there donst like that idea, then let them take a couple in. Its about time the people in Brunswick Place, were given a break.P.S. and Cambridge Rd.
Posted by: kiwi bro, puinui road on 11:32am Thu 27 Mar 08
nite miss flat foot an you kickboxer. we think your argus thing is great. my cousin had a job in hove as a garbo. they threw him out in 1995 something to do with eec rules. i am going to ask the gang if they will still fight for your queen eh. my cousin johno is in afganistan rite now. hope your taxes will help all the kiwi and aus widows an orphans in some way.
nite miss flat foot an you kickboxer. we think your argus thing is great. my cousin had a job in hove as a garbo. they threw him out in 1995 something to do with eec rules. i am going to ask the gang if they will still fight for your queen eh. my cousin johno is in afganistan rite now. hope your taxes will help all the kiwi and aus widows an orphans in some way.
Posted by: Quercus, worthing on 1:16pm Thu 27 Mar 08
[quote][bold]Flat Foot Soozie[/bold] wrote:
People who trash houses given them do not deserve housing. They should not be so egotistical but reflect that there are many people in the world who have scarcely a tent in which to live -and little to eat.[/quote] My guess would be that the council are probably doing all they can to not house this person again. I have to hope that none of you people ever lose your jobs and end up needing housing. I assume you won't be asking the council for any help. As for the councillors demanding an inquiry. Are they the same councillors who would have supported the siting of the temporary accomodation. You could almost suspect they were just looking for votes to secure their expense claims
Flat Foot Soozie wrote:
People who trash houses given them do not deserve housing. They should not be so egotistical but reflect that there are many people in the world who have scarcely a tent in which to live -and little to eat.
My guess would be that the council are probably doing all they can to not house this person again. I have to hope that none of you people ever lose your jobs and end up needing housing. I assume you won't be asking the council for any help. As for the councillors demanding an inquiry. Are they the same councillors who would have supported the siting of the temporary accomodation. You could almost suspect they were just looking for votes to secure their expense claims
Posted by: Angela, Brunswick Place, Hove on 1:28pm Thu 27 Mar 08
They should close these buildings down and sell them to pay the council tax payers back. Two buildings in Brunswick Place trashed or not should be worth a fair bit.
We shouldn't have to put up with St Patricks and this Place all within a street of each other.
The nice folk in this building could then be given council flats somewhere cheaper with the money saved and the rest given proper mental health support somewhere suitable.
They should close these buildings down and sell them to pay the council tax payers back. Two buildings in Brunswick Place trashed or not should be worth a fair bit.
We shouldn't have to put up with St Patricks and this Place all within a street of each other.
The nice folk in this building could then be given council flats somewhere cheaper with the money saved and the rest given proper mental health support somewhere suitable.
Posted by: Adam, Brunswick Place on 2:18pm Thu 27 Mar 08
[quote][bold]Quercus[/bold] wrote:
[quote][bold]Flat Foot Soozie[/bold] wrote: People who trash houses given them do not deserve housing. They should not be so egotistical but reflect that there are many people in the world who have scarcely a tent in which to live -and little to eat.[/quote] My guess would be that the council are probably doing all they can to not house this person again. I have to hope that none of you people ever lose your jobs and end up needing housing. I assume you won't be asking the council for any help. As for the councillors demanding an inquiry. Are they the same councillors who would have supported the siting of the temporary accomodation. You could almost suspect they were just looking for votes to secure their expense claims[/quote] The Counil didn't consult anyone before opening the project, not even their own councillors. And that has been the problem from the start. It should never have been palced there in a heavily residential area.
Quercus wrote:
Flat Foot Soozie wrote: People who trash houses given them do not deserve housing. They should not be so egotistical but reflect that there are many people in the world who have scarcely a tent in which to live -and little to eat.
My guess would be that the council are probably doing all they can to not house this person again. I have to hope that none of you people ever lose your jobs and end up needing housing. I assume you won't be asking the council for any help. As for the councillors demanding an inquiry. Are they the same councillors who would have supported the siting of the temporary accomodation. You could almost suspect they were just looking for votes to secure their expense claims
The Counil didn't consult anyone before opening the project, not even their own councillors. And that has been the problem from the start. It should never have been palced there in a heavily residential area.
Posted by: Ronnie, Brighton on 3:45pm Thu 27 Mar 08
Of course there are some cases that deserve sympathy, but its not difficult to see those that dont. You find them all over Brighton, totally out of their brains, disgusting looking men and women who dont give a s*** about themselves or anyone else.
These people are scum, always have been and always will be. They should not be given free anything. I object strongly to paying (through my incredibly high taxes) for the lifestyle of these beings.
If someone warrants being given free housing to get them through difficult times they should be **** gratefull, not cause havoc and damage in a residential community.
The council should go straight in and kick out any of the scum element. If they drop dead on the street, so be it - the world will be a better place without them.
Of course there are some cases that deserve sympathy, but its not difficult to see those that dont. You find them all over Brighton, totally out of their brains, disgusting looking men and women who dont give a s*** about themselves or anyone else.
These people are scum, always have been and always will be. They should not be given free anything. I object strongly to paying (through my incredibly high taxes) for the lifestyle of these beings.
If someone warrants being given free housing to get them through difficult times they should be **** gratefull, not cause havoc and damage in a residential community.
The council should go straight in and kick out any of the scum element. If they drop dead on the street, so be it - the world will be a better place without them.
Posted by: FRED, worthing on 5:56pm Thu 27 Mar 08
If you take the trouble to read the literature of the B.N.P. i think you will see an answer to the problem.
If you take the trouble to read the literature of the B.N.P. i think you will see an answer to the problem.
Posted by: bart simpson, springfield elementary on 7:06pm Thu 27 Mar 08
[quote][bold]winky wonky[/bold] wrote:
Its easy to see why these people re homeless in the first place. They should be given some old prefab barracks in the middle of nowhere where they can act like the jeremy kyle pigs that they are.[/quote] i agree. put them all in boot camp until they learn some respect for their property. bad lads army is a good idea
winky wonky wrote:
Its easy to see why these people re homeless in the first place. They should be given some old prefab barracks in the middle of nowhere where they can act like the jeremy kyle pigs that they are.
i agree. put them all in boot camp until they learn some respect for their property. bad lads army is a good idea
Posted by: So, funny, I nearly fell off my chair! on 7:32pm Thu 27 Mar 08
[quote][bold]FRED[/bold] wrote:
If you take the trouble to read the literature of the B.N.P. i think you will see an answer to the problem.[/quote] Hahaha!! yeah, right!
Poor, poor FRED.
FRED wrote:
If you take the trouble to read the literature of the B.N.P. i think you will see an answer to the problem.
Hahaha!! yeah, right!
Poor, poor FRED.
Posted by: Nick Griffin, Croatia on 8:18pm Thu 27 Mar 08
[quote][bold]FRED[/bold] wrote:
If you take the trouble to read the literature of the B.N.P. i think you will see an answer to the problem.[/quote] The only thing I've learned from BNP literature is that they've betrayed every true British patriot both living and dead.
BNP supporters should get out of our country and go and live in that farm they've bought for themselves in the Balkans.
FRED wrote:
If you take the trouble to read the literature of the B.N.P. i think you will see an answer to the problem.
The only thing I've learned from BNP literature is that they've betrayed every true British patriot both living and dead.
BNP supporters should get out of our country and go and live in that farm they've bought for themselves in the Balkans.
Posted by: Tony, Brunswick Place, Hove on 8:37pm Thu 27 Mar 08
[quote][bold]Adam[/bold] wrote:
[quote][bold]Quercus[/bold] wrote: [quote][bold]Flat Foot Soozie[/bold] wrote: People who trash houses given them do not deserve housing. They should not be so egotistical but reflect that there are many people in the world who have scarcely a tent in which to live -and little to eat.[/quote] My guess would be that the council are probably doing all they can to not house this person again. I have to hope that none of you people ever lose your jobs and end up needing housing. I assume you won\\\\\\\'t be asking the council for any help. As for the councillors demanding an inquiry. Are they the same councillors who would have supported the siting of the temporary accomodation. You could almost suspect they were just looking for votes to secure their expense claims[/quote] The Counil didn\\\\\\\'t consult anyone before opening the project, not even their own councillors. And that has been the problem from the start. It should never have been palced there in a heavily residential area.[/quote] Are these the same councillors who fought hard to keep St Patricks open too. Lucky residents of Brunswick Place and Cambridge Road!
Adam wrote:
Quercus wrote: Flat Foot Soozie wrote: People who trash houses given them do not deserve housing. They should not be so egotistical but reflect that there are many people in the world who have scarcely a tent in which to live -and little to eat.
My guess would be that the council are probably doing all they can to not house this person again. I have to hope that none of you people ever lose your jobs and end up needing housing. I assume you won\\\\'t be asking the council for any help. As for the councillors demanding an inquiry. Are they the same councillors who would have supported the siting of the temporary accomodation. You could almost suspect they were just looking for votes to secure their expense claims
The Counil didn\\\\'t consult anyone before opening the project, not even their own councillors. And that has been the problem from the start. It should never have been palced there in a heavily residential area.
Are these the same councillors who fought hard to keep St Patricks open too. Lucky residents of Brunswick Place and Cambridge Road!
Posted by: FRED, worthing on 8:59am Fri 28 Mar 08
Nick Griffin Croatia, You too are in the book.
Nick Griffin Croatia, You too are in the book.
Posted by: Angela, Brighton on 4:28pm Fri 28 Mar 08
[bold]SERIOUS QUESTION[/bold]
Can someone explain why B+H has so many street drunks, druggies, people on benefit, and homeless people.
It seems to me they come here for the easy touch.
Am I missing something here, or is there some other reason why B+H is such a scum magnet.
Is it simply that if you are going to be a alcohol or Heroin dependant jobless homeless sciving piece of rubbish, you may as well be by the seaside and make the most of it? Or do the council encourage it . . .
[bold]SERIOUS QUESTION[/bold]
SERIOUS QUESTION
Can someone explain why B+H has so many street drunks, druggies, people on benefit, and homeless people.
It seems to me they come here for the easy touch.
Am I missing something here, or is there some other reason why B+H is such a scum magnet.
Is it simply that if you are going to be a alcohol or Heroin dependant jobless homeless sciving piece of rubbish, you may as well be by the seaside and make the most of it? Or do the council encourage it . . .
SERIOUS QUESTION Posted by: Bertrand, Lansdowne Rd on 5:14pm Fri 28 Mar 08
The reason the council can't afford to staff the builidngs 24/7 is that they lease them from a private landlord for £500k per anum and are tied into a 10 year deal. I know the guy who was the original manager and he was sacked in April last year because he couldn't operate the project safely. No surprises there given that the vast majority of the money generated by the project goes to the lanlord. The mental health resident were moved out in December and the homeless residents moved in soon after. No coherent planning went in at any stage either for the mental health reidents or the homeless residents. What a shambles and a very senior council head should definitely roll over this.
The reason the council can't afford to staff the builidngs 24/7 is that they lease them from a private landlord for £500k per anum and are tied into a 10 year deal. I know the guy who was the original manager and he was sacked in April last year because he couldn't operate the project safely. No surprises there given that the vast majority of the money generated by the project goes to the lanlord. The mental health resident were moved out in December and the homeless residents moved in soon after. No coherent planning went in at any stage either for the mental health reidents or the homeless residents. What a shambles and a very senior council head should definitely roll over this.
Posted by: Rita, B/H on 10:15pm Fri 28 Mar 08
This failure on the council's part is systemic and goes right to the top
This failure on the council's part is systemic and goes right to the top
Posted by: ronnie, Brighton on 3:32pm Sat 29 Mar 08
I notice no one has offered an answer to Angela's 'serious' question a few posts above.
It raises some very basic points - are there any answers?
I notice no one has offered an answer to Angela's 'serious' question a few posts above.
It raises some very basic points - are there any answers?
Posted by: marion, hove on 10:25am Mon 31 Mar 08
These places need to be CLOSED DOWN if the council are unable to operate them safely. Local residents are fed up. Did the council even ever ask for public opinion before they put them in our midst? Do any of the people making these decisions have to personally suffer from their decisions? I doubt it! Everyone supports people who are down on their luck being helped back and being given a roof over their heads, though these antisocial people smashing the places up are just spongers and only add to the view that Brighton is a soft-touch centre.
These places need to be CLOSED DOWN if the council are unable to operate them safely. Local residents are fed up. Did the council even ever ask for public opinion before they put them in our midst? Do any of the people making these decisions have to personally suffer from their decisions? I doubt it! Everyone supports people who are down on their luck being helped back and being given a roof over their heads, though these antisocial people smashing the places up are just spongers and only add to the view that Brighton is a soft-touch centre.
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