| Marina
Marina tower development rejected
A second tower block development at Brighton Marina has been rejected by councillors by nine votes to three. Conservatives and Green both voted against the scheme, Labour voted for the scheme against the wishes of many thousands of residents.
The Inner Harbour plans were to include the demolition of McDonald's, Asda and a petrol station, replaced by 1,300 flats and a new store and restaurant.
Residents had opposed the scheme and held a protest as councillors entered the planning meeting on Friday. Simon Kirby was supporting these residents:
The tower block was among several new buildings proposed, with a mix of one, two and three bedroom homes, 520 of them affordable housing although much of the housing fell below the Council's minimum size requirements. Councillors were concerned about the mass and size of the development, the sustainability and architectural design and its proximity to the cliff face.
A separate development including a 40-storey tower block was approved in 2006 when the Council was controlled by the Labour party. This scheme had the support of Labour's Des Turner MP and the then Leader of the Council Simon Burgess.
Local resident Brian Simpson said the new plans would destroy the marina.
"It could and should be the jewel in Brighton's marine crown," he said.
"We cannot believe that anyone with common sense would take this forward."
Campaigner Vicki Davies said the views of the white cliffs to Peacehaven would be obscured.
"It is not a price worth paying at all," she said.
Simon Kirby is delighted that the Council have listened to local residents and users of the Marina.
Residents were worried about over development, a lack of infastructure, and access issues. Brighton Marina has its own very special character and Simon doesn't want this to change. Simon attended the planning meeting on 12th December, the site visit on 9th December, the Full Council demonstration and many of the residents' meetings in the run up to the committee meeting.
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