Woodingdean Residents Fight Council Plans to Demolish Historic Cottages
Campaigners are opposing Brighton and Hove City Council's proposal to demolish two cottages dating back to 1862 as part of a housing development on Warren Road.
Campaign Against Demolition
Residents in Woodingdean are protesting against proposals to demolish two historic cottages as part of a Brighton and Hove City Council housing scheme. The cottages, which date back to 1862, are located on Warren Road alongside the site of the old outdoor swimming pool, which closed in 2008.
The council's plans would see up to 42 council-rented flats built on the site. The development would provide homes for people with existing connections to Brighton and Hove, particularly those in temporary accommodation.
Local Campaign Efforts
Campaigners have formed a group called Save Our Cottages to oppose the redevelopment. John Paul Amos, 50, who has lived in Woodingdean since 1982 and runs a family locksmith business, is part of the campaign.
"That's our history," Mr Amos said. "Those four cottages is all that's left." He described the cottages as the gateway to Woodingdean and expressed concern that demolishing them would leave the area as "just a road with a petrol station on it, a few shops, and then a load of new flats four stories high."
The protest group has organised public meetings, petitions, letter-writing campaigns and visible signage. A protest was held near the cottages on Tuesday, 27 October, with Mr Amos reporting "hundreds of horn honks of support" from passing motorists. Another protest is planned for this Saturday.
Around 88 people attended a recent meeting for campaigners. A public consultation remains open until 2 November, and nearly 400 residents have already submitted views.
Not Against Social Housing
Mr Amos stressed that the campaign is not opposed to social housing, but believes other locations should be considered. "There's lots of areas there where you could actually extend without knocking anything down and putting up social housing, so we have got alternatives," he said.
Council Response
Brighton and Hove City Council has stated that the Warren Road plans are still at an early stage, with no final decisions made. The council has said it will carefully examine potential impacts on schools, healthcare, community facilities, traffic and road safety as plans progress.
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