A few years a go I created some new pages on the ‘New England Quater’, on the site of some old railway works next to Brighton station and near me. Originally the pages just had some photos of how the site looked before work started, and at various stages since (stupidly I normally took this late in the day as the sun was setting which produced poor photos), however at the time I couldn’t find any website providing general information on the project so provided some background and useful links. Since then there has been much more information put on to the web (and lot of information removed as well).
Anyway, I write this as I’ve noticed that the council have put out a report this year reviewing the current state of play, see the link ‘briefing note 2008’.
I fought against this development as a local resident for a number of reasons. I am disappointed but not surprised at the quality of the build.
I am hoping that the soulessnes of the area is a temporary thing and that a community will develop to fill that gap.
It does seem that traffic may not be the issue it was at the time of the public meeting, time will tell!
I can’t work out if the Cobbler”s Thumb will need to be demolished, anyone know?
From what I’ve seen, the cobbler’s thumb should be fine. Certainly the ‘New England quarter’ plans seem to leave it, and the odd box of buildings next to it (scrap metal, paint shop, ACAS officers?, church), alone.
However, there are early plans to improve the London Road area, and these seem to come close to this area as well, so who knows in the long run.
For what it is worth, looking at other inner-city developments, and new supermarkets, I think we could have done far worse than what we are getting. The Sainsbury’s in one of the most discrete supermarkets I’ve ever seen, and the area outside seems to be an attempt at an area for pedestrians. I grew up in Northampton, if a new development has just a pavement, or pedestrian access, then that is seen as impressive.