Latest news
Tree works in Queen’s Park
The Council’s contractors, Connick Tree Services, will start tree works in Queen’s Park in the week commencing Monday, 21st June.
According to Peter Small, Brighton & Hove City Council’s Arboricultural Manager at Cityparks, there are a number of small trees to be felled – all due to poor condition and or defects.
Other works will include pruning works and pollarding of a small number of more mature trees. Much of the work specified is to elm trees, however any significant pruning of elm trees in the park will be delayed until later in the year, due to the risk of elm disease infection throughout the summer months. This will mean that Connick Tree Services will return to the park towards the end of the year to complete the planned programme of works.
Queen’s Park conservation area consultation
In October 2020 Brighton & Hove City Council undertook a statutory public consultation relating to an Article 4 Direction for the Queen’s Park conservation area, to remove certain permitted development rights. Following the closure of that consultation and consideration of the responses it became clear that the Direction as ‘made’ was not explicit that it would only apply to works to the street frontages of buildings.
The Council has therefore decided that it would not be confirming the Direction and, instead, have made a new Direction with additional wording to clarify that it only applies to development fronting a highway used by vehicular traffic. The upcoming statutory consultation on the new Article 4 Direction will take place from June 4 2021 to July 4 2021.
Comments can be made via the Council’s consultation portal, where details of the Article 4 Direction can be viewed, from 4 June, at https://consultations.brighton-hove.gov.uk
Alternatively details of the Article 4 Direction can be viewed on the Council’s website at https://www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/queens-park-conservation-area-proposed-article-4-direction-statutory-consultation
BACKGROUD
The Queen’s Park Conservation Area Character Statement was adopted by council in September 2018 following public consultation. This document identified the cumulative loss of architectural details (including the change of traditional windows to UPVC, inappropriate timber windows, modern doors, loss of front boundary walls, modern railings and gates and painting of unpainted brick features) on the fronts of houses as being detrimental to the character and appearance of the conservation area. As a result, a recommendation was made in the Character Statement to prepare an Article 4 Direction to halt these harmful changes where they affect the street frontages of houses.
Informal consultation was undertaken in early 2020, with 65% of respondents either agreeing or strongly agreeing that an Article 4 Direction would help to preserve the character and appearance of the Queen’s Park conservation area. A report was taken to the Tourism, Equalities, Communities and Culture Committee on 18th June 2020 where the Committee authorised the making of an Article 4 Direction, subject to statutory consultation.
A number of householder permitted development rights will be removed by the Article 4 Direction (such as works to the front elevations including doors, windows, roof materials) as well as permitted development for the removal or alteration or front boundary walls and external painting. For further information I attach the Queen’s Park Conservation Area Map and the Article 4 Direction Notice.
BARK IS BACK!
The popular Bark in the Park is back. It will take place on Sunday, 18th July in the dog area of the park. Once again Coastway Vets will be the overall sponsor.
The event will be organised taking into account latest Government guidance for outdoor events which is expected to be published on 21st June.
The event will feature ten classes, as well as Best in Show. The categories are:
- Cutest puppy
- Handsomest dog
- Prettiest girl
- Doggie triathlon
- Golden oldie (> seven years old)
- Best rescue
- Temptation alley
- Fancy dress
- Best trick
- Best sausage catcher
- BEST IN SHOW
Each class, including Best in Show, can be sponsored. For more information click HERE.
For information about stalls click HERE
FQP AGM: Wed 25 Nov
Please join the Friends of Queens Park, Brighton, for their Annual General Meeting to be held online (Zoom Webinar) at 7pm Wednesday 25th November, 2020. Click link to register. Read more…
Outdoor Theatre: Mogs And Frogs Sept 26/27
Our friends Fiona Bruce and Owen Aaronovitch are putting on a show! They will perform Mogs And Frogs And Doggy Tales, their 50min kids show shows at the Royal Spa Nursery, at these dates and times: Read more…
Q&A with Chris Lowe
Chris Lowe of the Friends Of Queens Park is a keen naturalist who spends many hours tending and caring for the pond in Queens Park. In response to questions from concerned residents, he answers some of the pressing issues of recent weeks. Read more…
Sussex Champion Elm
Queens Park, Brighton, which is home to a large and significant collection of elm trees, is proud to reveal news about one of its oldest trees. Read more…
Become a Dutch Elm Disease Spotter
Help save our Elm trees! Brighton and Hove City Council is putting out an urgent request for help this year with Dutch Elm Disease (DED). Read more…
Action Required: New Consultation For Queens Park
Our friends from Brighton & Hove City Council have been in touch about the Queens Park Conservation Area. Read more…