Cllr Geoffrey Theobald

Cabinet member for environment, councillor  Geoffrey Theobald, will be considering a revised London Road Central Masterplan supplementary planning document at the environment cabinet meeting on Thursday, December 17.
 
The revised report has been produced following a six-week consultation on the London Road Central Masterplan which took place earlier this summer.
 
The consultation included a three-day exhibition held in the former Co-op store which attracted over 1,000 visitors and resulted in hundreds of comments. Sixty-five groups, organisations and individuals also sent comments to the council.

Cllr Theobald said:  
"We will be aiming to preserve the area’s distinctive character by aiming to reuse and convert existing buildings where possible and create low cost space for small independent businesses."
 
He added that in response to an appeal from residents to preserve the buildings around the bottom of  Ann Street , council planners have come up with two alternative plans for the area.
 
The vast majority of respondents agreed there was a need to regenerate the London Road area and welcomed the proposals. There was also an overwhelming demand for priority for pedestrians, cyclists and public transport and for smaller scale developments.

Cllr Theobald continued:
“Improving pedestrian and cycle accessibility are important aspects of the plan which proposes removing unnecessary road barriers and clutter, providing areas of central reservation and improving conditions at major junctions such as Preston Circus.
 
“This will be combined with improved facilities for cyclists. Innovative projects in recent years on the continent and elsewhere in the  UK have demonstrated that such improvements can be achieved whilst maintaining traffic flows.”
 
A superstore is not included in the masterplan. Any potential planning application for a superstore in  London Road would need to be considered on its merits and assessed against local and national retail policies. The council would assess the effect of any development on existing shops and district shopping centres.
 
Cllr Theobald said the council's aim is to attract a wide mix of shop types and sizes.
 
Sites which will provide opportunities for new retail development include the Open Market, Vantage Point, Boots/Somerfield, and the City College/Pelham Street Quarter.
 
In addition, a new improved Open Market will be an important factor in providing premises at an affordable rent for small independent traders.
 
The council is keen that the site where the former Co-op building stands is brought back in use. Although not owned by the council, planners would, in principle, support any proposals for a replacement department store, or other retail use which would benefit and help regenerate the London Road area. The council would be likely to support proposals for an art gallery, as suggested by campaigners, but only if funding was in place and the scheme supported by the landowner.
 
Overall, the masterplan provides a flexible framework to strengthen the role of London Road as one of the city’s town centres and will provide an essential guide for future development in the area.

Cllr Theobald added:
“We hope that targeting investment in projects that improve the appearance and safety of  London Road will encourage wider investment that will benefit the whole area. We want to create a vibrant and pleasant  London Road where a lot more local people will want to come and spend time.
 
“Of course this won’t happen overnight. Finding sources of funding won’t be easy in these times of economic uncertainty. The masterplan therefore provides for both relatively small scale incremental changes that will individually and cumulatively make a positive difference over time, as well as identifying opportunities for more ambitious longer term developments to provide new jobs, homes and recreational spaces.”

For more information about Brighton and Hove Council view:
www.brighton-hove.gov.uk