Moulsecoomb - Bevendean History Project
Development of the Moulsecoomb estate
Stanmer Estate Inquiry part 1
FIVE TOWNS BOGEY AT STANMER INQUIRYBrighton’s “Five Towns” bogey raised its head
at Thursday’s Ministry of Health inquiry into the
Corporation’s application to borrow £232,619 for the
purchase of the 4,958 Stanmer acre estate.
The only objectors to the proposal, Chailey Rural Council, took the view that if Brighton acquired Stanmer it would strengthen her amalgamation proposals to the boundary commission.
There clerk (Mr A. F. Perkins) whose main objection was fearful the beauty of the greenbelt between Brighton and Lewes, thought there would be no necessity to develop the east if Brighton’s Five Towns scheme was adopted.
Brighton have already negotiated the purchase of the estate from the Chichester estate company, but Stanmer Park is still requisitioned by the army it was stated that the land requirements of the War Office are not yet known.
The East Sussex County Council, who were represented by their clerk (Mr H. S. Martin) are not objecting to Brighton’s application.
The only objectors to the proposal, Chailey Rural Council, took the view that if Brighton acquired Stanmer it would strengthen her amalgamation proposals to the boundary commission.
There clerk (Mr A. F. Perkins) whose main objection was fearful the beauty of the greenbelt between Brighton and Lewes, thought there would be no necessity to develop the east if Brighton’s Five Towns scheme was adopted.
Brighton have already negotiated the purchase of the estate from the Chichester estate company, but Stanmer Park is still requisitioned by the army it was stated that the land requirements of the War Office are not yet known.
The East Sussex County Council, who were represented by their clerk (Mr H. S. Martin) are not objecting to Brighton’s application.
“PREMATURE”
Brighton requires Stanmer for Downland preservation, to protect
the district water supply, for housing development, new schools and a
future hospital.
Their application was called “premature” by the objecting Council, who contended that, if Brighton need to extend its built-up area, it should be westwards and not east.
“The desire of Brighton to purchase the Chichester estate is irretrievably tied up with the boundary question,” alleged Mr Perkins.
“My Council fear that the representatives of the County Council, when they met representatives of the Brighton Corporation and agreed not to oppose Brighton’s application, were very anxious regarding the proposal of Brighton as to what is known as the 5 town scheme and were endeavouring to reach some agreement as regards proposals concerned with the county boundaries,” Mr Perkins stated, and drew a protest from Mr Martin on behalf of his Council at such an inference being drawn.
Brighton’s Town Clerk (Mr J. G. Drew, O.B.E.) observed, “I’ve never heard such an improper statement at any enquiry,” and added “it is quite untrue to say that there was any questioning of bargaining between Brighton and the County Council.”
The inspector (Mr A. Gerard Boulton) agreed that such suggestions were irrelevant, and Mr Perkins made no further reference to this meeting between the two bodies except to say, “My Council feel that this agreement between Brighton and the county council should never have been entered into without consultation with my Council.”
Earlier Mr Drew had complained that he had never been informed of what future plans the War Office had to Stanmer, but later he read a telephone message she had just received from the Lands Department of the War Office stating that the amount of land required was still under consideration.
Opening Brighton’s case, Mr Drew said that the Corporation came to an agreement with the estate company on 14 April this year the purchase approximately 4,958 acres for £225,000 subject to the Ministry’s approval being given by 14th October.
It was intended to preserve two-thirds of the estate (3,245 acres) is Downland by agreement with the East Sussex County Council and 53 acres would be retained by the estate company, the Corporation having first option to buy.
Detailing the proposals to develop the estate over a 50 year period, Mr Drew pointed out it’s vital importance to the borough’s water undertaking which supplied a quarter of a million consumers.
Their application was called “premature” by the objecting Council, who contended that, if Brighton need to extend its built-up area, it should be westwards and not east.
“The desire of Brighton to purchase the Chichester estate is irretrievably tied up with the boundary question,” alleged Mr Perkins.
“My Council fear that the representatives of the County Council, when they met representatives of the Brighton Corporation and agreed not to oppose Brighton’s application, were very anxious regarding the proposal of Brighton as to what is known as the 5 town scheme and were endeavouring to reach some agreement as regards proposals concerned with the county boundaries,” Mr Perkins stated, and drew a protest from Mr Martin on behalf of his Council at such an inference being drawn.
Brighton’s Town Clerk (Mr J. G. Drew, O.B.E.) observed, “I’ve never heard such an improper statement at any enquiry,” and added “it is quite untrue to say that there was any questioning of bargaining between Brighton and the County Council.”
The inspector (Mr A. Gerard Boulton) agreed that such suggestions were irrelevant, and Mr Perkins made no further reference to this meeting between the two bodies except to say, “My Council feel that this agreement between Brighton and the county council should never have been entered into without consultation with my Council.”
Earlier Mr Drew had complained that he had never been informed of what future plans the War Office had to Stanmer, but later he read a telephone message she had just received from the Lands Department of the War Office stating that the amount of land required was still under consideration.
Opening Brighton’s case, Mr Drew said that the Corporation came to an agreement with the estate company on 14 April this year the purchase approximately 4,958 acres for £225,000 subject to the Ministry’s approval being given by 14th October.
It was intended to preserve two-thirds of the estate (3,245 acres) is Downland by agreement with the East Sussex County Council and 53 acres would be retained by the estate company, the Corporation having first option to buy.
Detailing the proposals to develop the estate over a 50 year period, Mr Drew pointed out it’s vital importance to the borough’s water undertaking which supplied a quarter of a million consumers.
NEGOTIATIONS FAILED
It was in 1900 he said, that the Corporation first acquired part
of the estate and negotiations took place until 1937, when he was
instructed to purchase the estate. Negotiations broke down in 1939 but
were resumed after the war.
“This is not a sudden application,” said Mr Drew. “If the Corporation don’t buy it, no doubt it will be sold elsewhere.”
It was proposed to use 260 acres of the estate housing. Forty acres south of the railway would be needed for light industrial purposes because it was necessary to thin out Brighton’s congested population to the outskirts, where factories would be built near people’s homes.
Other land would be devoted to special business purposes. Another site of 220 acres would be devoted to for new secondary schools there might be other sites needed for the purposes of further education.
“This is not a sudden application,” said Mr Drew. “If the Corporation don’t buy it, no doubt it will be sold elsewhere.”
It was proposed to use 260 acres of the estate housing. Forty acres south of the railway would be needed for light industrial purposes because it was necessary to thin out Brighton’s congested population to the outskirts, where factories would be built near people’s homes.
Other land would be devoted to special business purposes. Another site of 220 acres would be devoted to for new secondary schools there might be other sites needed for the purposes of further education.
HOSPITAL NEEDED
“There is a real need for a modern hospital in Brighton.
This site is admirably suited and there is no other site
available,” observed the Town Clerk in pointing out that the new
health authorities might well choose Stanmer for a new hospital.
It was hoped to continue the ring road from Hove down into the main Lewes road and eventually this might be linked up with the eastern coast road.
The Corporation also had to face the fact that some of the existing golf courses in the Borough would be needed for open spaces and provision for new golf courses would have to be made in the Stanmer area.
It was hoped to continue the ring road from Hove down into the main Lewes road and eventually this might be linked up with the eastern coast road.
The Corporation also had to face the fact that some of the existing golf courses in the Borough would be needed for open spaces and provision for new golf courses would have to be made in the Stanmer area.
HOUSING NEEDS
The Borough surveyor (Mr D. J. Howe) told the inspector that
10,750 houses would be required during the next 20 years to accommodate
the newcomers to the town and the overspill of people being moved from
the congested districts.
The Borough was not large enough by 770 acres to build these houses, which necessitated the Corporation seeking sites outside the borough.
He did not agree with Mr Perkins that more farmland within the borough could be utilised for housing. When Mr Perkins asked if it was proposed to build a motor racing track in the estate the town clerk said the track had not being planned for this area.
Mr F. N. Green (Borough Water Works Engineer) said it was advisable for the Corporation to own and control land round their Falmer pumping station.
The Borough was not large enough by 770 acres to build these houses, which necessitated the Corporation seeking sites outside the borough.
He did not agree with Mr Perkins that more farmland within the borough could be utilised for housing. When Mr Perkins asked if it was proposed to build a motor racing track in the estate the town clerk said the track had not being planned for this area.
Mr F. N. Green (Borough Water Works Engineer) said it was advisable for the Corporation to own and control land round their Falmer pumping station.
MEDICAL VIEW
Doctor S. J. Firth (Medical Director of the Municipal Hospital
and Sanatorium) said Brighton needed modern hospital buildings and
Stanmer had the ideal site. The only modern hospital building in
Brighton was the Eye Hospital.
The Chairman of Brighton’s Planning Committee (Councillor F. G. Field) said of the borough’s housing needs: “We have alleged homes to the density of 40 to the acre of which we have been resentful for years.”
He had always opposed taking people to housing estates on the outskirts but reluctantly agreed building on the outskirts because every inch had been used within the Borough.
He said they were both schools and factories in Brighton which came within the category of slums and there was no land to rebuild them in the Borough.
It was hoped that a future University College might eventually arise on the estate.
The Chairman of Brighton’s Planning Committee (Councillor F. G. Field) said of the borough’s housing needs: “We have alleged homes to the density of 40 to the acre of which we have been resentful for years.”
He had always opposed taking people to housing estates on the outskirts but reluctantly agreed building on the outskirts because every inch had been used within the Borough.
He said they were both schools and factories in Brighton which came within the category of slums and there was no land to rebuild them in the Borough.
It was hoped that a future University College might eventually arise on the estate.
THE OPPOSITION
“It is the fear of my Council that the amenities of the
Downland will be interfered with,” stated Mr Perkins opening the
opposition’s case.
“The Brighton Corporation have cast covetous eyes on the Chichester Estate for years and when the young girl was killed three years ago they thought the time opportune to start negotiations.”
Councillor Field: That’s untrue.
Mr Perkins went on: “it is most undesirable that Brighton should extend east the natural way for development is to the West.”
The new Town and Country Planning Bill would give Brighton all the powers needed if it was really necessary to acquire the whole estate for housing purposes, but he considered the Corporation had not proved that the whole of the Borough was built up.
“The Brighton Corporation have cast covetous eyes on the Chichester Estate for years and when the young girl was killed three years ago they thought the time opportune to start negotiations.”
Councillor Field: That’s untrue.
Mr Perkins went on: “it is most undesirable that Brighton should extend east the natural way for development is to the West.”
The new Town and Country Planning Bill would give Brighton all the powers needed if it was really necessary to acquire the whole estate for housing purposes, but he considered the Corporation had not proved that the whole of the Borough was built up.
National Park
He referred to a scheme to include the South Downs in a National
Park and asked that even if the application was granted the Downs
should be preserved and the character of the part preserved for all
time.
In evidence Mr W. R. Davidge planning consultant to the Chailey Council considered it would be easier and cheaper for Brighton to acquire the estate under the provisions of the new Bill. He thought the whole green belt to the east of Brighton should be preserved from building development.
At this point the enquiry was adjourned until Wednesday at 11 am.
In evidence Mr W. R. Davidge planning consultant to the Chailey Council considered it would be easier and cheaper for Brighton to acquire the estate under the provisions of the new Bill. He thought the whole green belt to the east of Brighton should be preserved from building development.
At this point the enquiry was adjourned until Wednesday at 11 am.
From the Brighton & Hove Gazette 19 July 1947.
