Agenda item - Public Questions

Written Questions: to receive any questions submitted by the due date of 12 noon on Thursday 30 September 2021.

34.1    It was noted that one question had been received from Ms Hodge who was invited to put her question to the Committee which is set out below:

          "With reference to BH2021/01999 Part Retrospective Planning for the Promenade to Roof Terrace lift at Rockwater Hove, BADGE notes that Committee have allowed a further 6 months leeway for Rockwater to install a lift. Please can Officers explain how they are allowing a venue to have been open since December 2020, whilst continuing to contravene SA6 and CP5 of Brighton & Hove's City Plan, & the Equalities Act (2010) & what will be done in future by Officers and this Committee to prevent clear breaches. The Law is clear that Access is a requirement and should have been a condition of use of the Roof Terrace. Why do disabled people's needs continue to be last to be addressed?"

34.2    The Chair, Councillor Littman responded in the following terms:

          “Planning permission BH2020/02211, which allowed the initial alterations to Rockwater, was granted on 13th January. This permission contained no condition in relation to the installation or availability of the lift to the terrace.

A further planning application, allowing minor amendments to some of the drawings in BH2020/02211, was subsequently submitted. This permission was granted on 5th August. Officers took the opportunity to attach a condition to BH2021/01999, requiring the passenger lift to be implemented and made available for use within 6 months of the date of the decision – so by 5th February next year. If the lift is not made available, operation of the venue must cease until it is.

While it is, of course, disappointing that the venue does not yet have full access for those with disabilities, this is being addressed by the condition in the new permission. As noted in the question, the Equalities requirements are covered in other legislation, so can be enforced by other means if they are breached.”

34.3    Ms Hodge was invited to put a supplementary question and in so doing referred to the need for Members to be aware of the issues which this application had brought to the fore and for the need for Members to receive training individually and collectively to ensure that legally and morally the city was a city for all.

34.4    The Chair, Councillor Littman, stated that training on this matter would be valuable and whilst he could not compel colleagues to attend he would support it being delivered as he considered that it would provide a useful contribution for Members of the Planning Committee.

34.5    RESOLVED – That the question and response to it be noted and received.