Friday, 31 December 2010
Monday, 27 December 2010
Some background to the current situation
In 2004 Hastings College sought permission to demolish the Art Block on Rye's Lion St, in order to build new, executive-style flats, misleadingly stating that the 19th c Victorian building was a 'modern extension' and '20th century'. Perhaps duped by this totally erroroneous information, Rother gave planning permission to Hastings College in Dec 2004 subject to them signing a S106 Order guaranteeing the FE (Further Education) Centre would be retained for public use.
Nothing happened for six years as Hastings College didn't sign the S106, but planning permission (unlike normally) didn't lapse due to the S106. The planning permission sat in a kind of limbo.
In Feb 2010, Hastings College (now called Sussex Coast College Hastings or SCCH) stated that it had no intention of signing the S106, and that it was going to sell off the whole Lion St to property developers for housing. This was seen by many local people as unacceptable and a campaign stopped this attempt.
Recently, SCCH has signed an S106, but this has raised objections from the community, the Town Council and other bodies, since it has been written (by SCCH) in such a way that it doesn't go far enough to guarantee the future community use of the FE. In addition, there has been widespread objections to the proposed demolition of a building of architectural significance (the Victorian Art Room), with the Victorian Society even putting out a national press release expressing its horror at this wanton vandalism.
Quite apart from its architectural significance, the Art Block is Rye's only publicly-owned and hireable art studio.
Rother meets in early January 2001 to reconsider the applications, and the public views are being sought, with a final cut-off date for objections (which the planners must consider) of 7th Jan 2011.
Nothing happened for six years as Hastings College didn't sign the S106, but planning permission (unlike normally) didn't lapse due to the S106. The planning permission sat in a kind of limbo.
In Feb 2010, Hastings College (now called Sussex Coast College Hastings or SCCH) stated that it had no intention of signing the S106, and that it was going to sell off the whole Lion St to property developers for housing. This was seen by many local people as unacceptable and a campaign stopped this attempt.
Recently, SCCH has signed an S106, but this has raised objections from the community, the Town Council and other bodies, since it has been written (by SCCH) in such a way that it doesn't go far enough to guarantee the future community use of the FE. In addition, there has been widespread objections to the proposed demolition of a building of architectural significance (the Victorian Art Room), with the Victorian Society even putting out a national press release expressing its horror at this wanton vandalism.
Quite apart from its architectural significance, the Art Block is Rye's only publicly-owned and hireable art studio.
Rother meets in early January 2001 to reconsider the applications, and the public views are being sought, with a final cut-off date for objections (which the planners must consider) of 7th Jan 2011.
Tuesday, 21 December 2010
Save The Art Room
Hi - this is where we'll put all the background associated with the campaign in Rye, East Sussex, UK to Save The Art Room
There is some really complicated detail in the history of the threat to The Art Room and we'll try and make it clear...here.
Please do all you can to help us Save The Art Room
There is some really complicated detail in the history of the threat to The Art Room and we'll try and make it clear...here.
Please do all you can to help us Save The Art Room
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)