Issue - items at meetings - The Future Provision of Visitor Information Services

Report of the Strategic Director; Place (copy attached).

That the Economic Development & Culture Committee approves the draft planning brief as forming the basis of a public consultation exercise.

74.1    The Committee considered a report of the Strategic Director, Place seeking approval to consult on a draft planning brief (attached as an appendix to the report) that had been prepared in respect of Medina House on the King’s Esplanade, Hove and the adjacent associated plot.

74.2    The Head of Planning and Public Protection explained that the draft brief had been prepared following a petition to the council by Ms Valerie Paynter on behalf of “Save Hove” and in order to set out the council’s planning requirements for the site, following previous refusals of planning permission and conservation area consent and the related appeals which had been dismissed by the Planning Inspectorate. Planning briefs were recognised as being potentially useful tools for improving the quality and the consistency of advice provided for developers, the efficiency of the planning process and the quality of the built environment.

74.3    Councillor Hawtree welcomed the brief which sought to bring together all of the policy decisions made in relation to the site over a number of years, the contribution of “Save Hove” in helping to bring this matter to the fore were to be commended.

74.4    Councillor Mac Cafferty recognised the contribution of “Save Hove” in helping to draw attention to this historic building which made a valuable contribution to the local built environment.

74.5    Councillor C Theobald stated that she supported the draft brief as forming the basis of a public consultation and to seek to preserve this unique and historic building.

74.6    Councillor Bowden, the Chair commended the report and stated that he hoped it would prove possible for some of the interior features of the building to be preserved.

74.7    RESOLVED - That the Economic Development & Culture Committee approves the draft planning brief for the Medina House site, former saltwater baths, King’s Esplanade. Hove as forming the basis of a public consultation exercise.