Campaigners have applied to get a third Brighton pub listed as an asset of community value to prevent it being turned into housing.
Godfrey Investments has submitted another application to turn the Cuthbert Pub into a three bedroom house and build two more in the former pub garden, after an earlier one was rejected by Brighton and Hove City Council.
But the Cuthbert Community Buyout Group has submitted its own application, to have the pub listed as an ACV which would help prevent it being turned into flats.
And it says it wants to turn the pub, which closed after being sold last year, into a community centre similar to The Bevy in Bevendean, but more along the lines of a cafe rather than a pub.
Campaigner Mae Dewsbery said: “Our vision s for the space to be a centre of public pride created by the community, for the community, so we welcome any ideas for how the space can be used.
“We have submitted an ACV application with the council which would give us the right to buy the property before it goes on the open market.
“We hope to raise substantial funds through grants and following that by fundraising and selling community shares.”
Writing in support of the developer’s application, architect Mark Hills said: “The opportunity to convert the pub arose with the closure and disposal of this property, due to lack of patronage.
“The applicant has prepared an accompanying appraisal of alternative community facilities available in the neighbourhood.” (At present, the appraisal is not available on the planning register.)
The previous application sought to build three new houses in the pub garden, and was turned down in part because the applicant hadn’t demonstrated the pub wasn’t suitable to be retained for community use.
Meanwhile, the new owner of the Horse and Groom in Islingword Road will have his request for a review of that pub’s ACV listing heard by the council tomorrow.
Craig Dwyer-Smith is also in the process of applying to convert the usage of the pub to financial services.
The Save the Rose Hill Tavern Action Group is currently trying to raise funds to buy the first Brighton pub listed as an ACV, the Rose Hill Tavern, from developer Evenden Estates.
Evenden put it back on the market after its planning application to convert it into two flats was turned down by the planning committee.
Being listed as an asset of community value means that if a property is put on the market, the community has six months to raise money to buy it.
It does not mean the owner has to sell it, or indeed to sell it to the community even if they raise the money.
However, it is proving more difficult for developers to get planning permission for a change of use once a property is listed.
The organizers of this campaign talk in idealised terms about “social inclusion”, but you are talking about people who already own their own homes, but who would nevertheless deny others the same opportunity.
It’s the classic British “pull-up-the-drawbridge” nimbyism.
Amid the talk of inclusion, the proposed uses for this new space will undoubtedbly serve the same “engaged” middle class mums that you already see running the school fete, and organizing the cakesale.
No problem with them, but the facility will offer nothing to working class residents – if that indeed is the aim – so this talk of community and inclusiveness is somewhat hollow.
Freshfield Road is a residential area, and Brighton needs more homes – it’s as simple as that.
As if Brighton needs more yoga workshops and cafes for the enjoyment of the liberal intelligentsia.
Thank god for people like Bob!!