Marlborough Residents Assoc

Latest meeting notes from the Residents Association 

Apologies for delay circulating these notes of recent meeting of local residents.  Thanks to all who attended the meeting on 15th . 

We can report the response to the planning inspector appeal has been very positive with at least a dozen authentic individual  objections known to have been lodged by the due date.

 Meanwhile other local issues continue to be addressed. 

Summary of meeting notes Sunday 15th March attended by 12 local residents @ 2 Marlborough Mews at 11.30am.

Following  welcome introductions, participants expressed a number of ongoing concerns affecting residential amenity, safety, and infrastructure within  Marlborough Street, the  Mews and surrounding area. 

The most urgent relates to the growth of short-term lettings, alongside several environmental and management issues will need to be reported to the relevant council department.

Key Issues

1. Short-Term Lettings (Airbnb) – Priority Concern

There is increasing concern regarding the number of properties being used, or proposed for use, as short-term holiday lets. This is impacting the character of the area and residents’ quality of life.

Residents are seeking clarification on planning status and appropriate enforcement where required particularly in relation to no 1 Marlborough Mews. 

Several attendees had already  submitted objections to the appellant to the Planning Inspectorate ( deadline Friday coming)

2. Waste Management (Bins)

The removal of three bins previously located near No. 1 has has disproportionately affected less mobile residents in the Mews.

Request: consideration to reinstatement of bins, potentially along the wall behind Flannels.

3. Delivery Vehicles (M&S)

Large delivery lorries are accessing Regent Hill, causing physical damage to the area (reported on multiple occasions),  plus acute noise disturbance from engines and refrigeration units at anti-social hours

Request: Review of vehicle size and delivery timing to council and M & S logistics management.

4. Street Lighting

Resident-funded lighting in the Mews is not functioning appropriately due to timer-based controls that are not seasonally adjusted.

Members in the Mews will look into  upgrade to sensor-based lighting for improved management.

5. Whilst acknowledging the housing crisis apparent throughout Brighton, members in Upper North Street were deeply concerned over anti-social behaviour in 

St Nicholas Rest Garden experiencing

temporary encampments with 

littering etc . There is a need for  increased monitoring and enforcement measures.

6. Tree Root Damage in Upper North Street

Tree roots are causing pavement damage, creating potential trip hazards.

RA should request council  inspection and remedial works.

7. Fox Nuisance

Residents report increased fox activity, including property damage,  fouling in residential areas, damage to plants and a widespread trail of hens eggs shells all over the area including Upper North Street, the Mews and beyond. This is believed to be exacerbated by deliberate feeding in the vicinity.

 RSPCA guidance discourages deliberate feeding on account of the effect it has on herding and concentrating and disturbing natural distribution. There is also a potential public health concern as cooked meat is being left outside on a daily basis of a residence in Marlborough Street for the foxes which inevitably attracts rodents (photographic evidence of this reported in Marlborough Mews recently ).

To be resolved by  guidance and intervention where appropriate.

8. Graffiti

Graffiti remains an ongoing issue.

There is reportedly since movement on this with introduction of council sponsored anti graffiti teams detailed with  removal and preventative measures. We hope this has an impact although it would appear the council is more concerned with improving the visual amenity of tourist routes from the station to the sea than our more localised problems. 

9. Management & Organising 

Carole kindly agreed to continue act as Secretary to the group and Steffan as Convenor pending elections in May.

The RA is keen to work collaboratively to preserve the residential character, safety, and cleanliness of the area. We ask  the Council investigate the above matters and provide feedback and  respond to community concerns.

A meeting is planned for  May ( date tbc) to report back and then a further social event in July in the Mews will follow.  Meeting closed at 13.00.

Click for Latest  News & updates on recent holiday lets planning applications affecting the Mews
Thanks to all who have responded including Eve, Graham, Chris & Wayne, Peter & Jan in UNS, Oliver in Regent Hill and many others. The response has been heartening so thanks to all who have responded to our Thumbs Up appeal!

And a big shoutout to Lubos who sorted out Domain registering, DNS and tech support. Lubos is a DIY expert   running a small business so please call him if you need help with those tricky jobs around the house! Aihandyman.co.uk)!

There is an OPEN MEETING this Sunday 15th March in the Mews specifically about AirBNB issues locally. An appeal has been launched against BHCC refusal to grant permission by No. 1. Very recently another house has been sold and is destined to be yet another AirBNB bringing total of THREE out of the ten properties immediately facing into the Mews into holiday let use!
We think this is ruining our community and needs to be vigorously opposed. Please RSVP for details if you can spare half an hour to attend  email marlboroughRA@gmail.com OR
or WhatsApp only 07780 947811

Alternatively you can comment directly on the Planning Inspectorate portal before 23.59 on Friday 20th March

https://appeal-planning-decision.service.gov.uk/comment-planning-appeal/appeals/6004705   

Welcome to the Marlborough Community Channel! Today Saturday March 7th is our launch date!

The Marlborough Community Channel is a local hub for residents of Marlborough Street, Marlborough Mews, Regents Hill, Upper North Street, and surrounding streets.

Our goal is to help neighbours stay informed, get involved, and protect the character of our community. We aim to:

-Keep local  residents informed

-Share updates on planning applications, council consultations, and local initiatives.

-Alert residents to changes affecting our streets, including traffic, parking, or building work.

- Campaign to influence the Council to listen and act on what local residents think

-Encourage community participation

-Provide a platform for residents to express their views on local issues.

-Improve our environment and quality of life  

- Seek to reduce and mitigate graffiti, littering and improve refuse collection

-Share Local News and Updates

-Provide reminders of important deadlines for planning objections or local consultations.

-Support a Strong, Cohesive Community and represent views to the Council and other stakeholders 

Why Participation Matters
Our community is small and sits in the heart  of our vibrant city which brings its own particular  challenges. Active participation helps protect residential character, manage noise and parking, and ensure that council decisions reflect our  local priorities.

By joining in, you will help create a safer, quieter, and more cohesive neighbourhood. Everyone is welcome providing you live or work in the locality.

Please support our new initiative and sign the leaflet put through  your door, or  send us an email, or message a text or WhatsApp. We will be going door to door to get things moving.

Current Campaigns include...

- lobbying the council to fix footpath and railings on Regents Hill damaged by reversing M&S trucks ( council says "not urgent" as not enough people complained!)

- Updates on imminent AirBnb applications affecting local residents . There is a planning appeal in progress which aims to overturn a recent Council refusal. 

- Action to reduce graffiti in Marlborough Street and Regents Hill 

Please support your local Residents and send a message of support by
email marlboroughRA@gmail.com OR
or WhatsApp only 07780 947811

But we are not just about bins and broken pavements! We like to party too!

Please join us at our Summer Garden Party in July (date to be confirmed) in the Mews which will feature Live Jazz, Flamenco Dancing, Food and lots of Vin Rose! Tres Bien!

Leaflets are being distributed door to door today and tomorrow. If you have an issue or if you have a particular interest in  one of the campaigns  please tell us!

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