Over 300 letters were sent by neighbours of the Art Deco Bingo Hall in Hove, over to the builders of the Downland Housing Assosiation. The letters objected the conversion of the Gala Bingo hall (which has been closed for three years) into 38 apartments and a surgical intervention establishment.
The chairman for the area’s association said that: “I’m disappointed the developers would not consult with neighbours before a new application is submitted. Local democracy has just disappeared – I am talking to residents who didn’t even know this was being planned. We are very, very concerned about it and at least 330 letters of objection have been sent in. This is an overdevelopment and we want a local and open consultation.”
Although the plans have already been submitted to the Brighton and Hove District Council, the second effort to demolish the hall, has not been approved yet. If the project were to come through, the new building would have within it an area that could eventually be used for minor surgery and also a headquarters for nurses.
As in every major change made in a community, there will be some people that agree and others that disagree. The most sensible thing to do is to make the decision from which the community best benefits from, and try to satisfy as many neighbours of the area as possible.