Stop Me If You Think That You've Heard This One Before

Mr K is right (as usual) when he says I need to add the following to the sweepstake:

6. The New York Dolls
7. Roxy Music

No [*ahem*] Raymonde one hopes - a band so dire that even the mighty Google does not compute a link (lucky readers...)

ETA - rank outsiders - they're good but they're not right:

8. Linder
9. Jobriath

More Industry Props for Brighton & Hove Planners

For once, I was delighted to read a Tory press release today:

*** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** ***

Urban study the best in south east

A city-wide study that has analysed the special character of 32 neighbourhoods has been voted the best planning strategy in south east England.

Brighton & Hove’s Urban Characterisation Study was given the regional award by the Royal Town Planning Institute.

The study provides a wealth of information about how various neighbourhoods within the city have developed, including a description and analysis of those qualities that will guide planning decisions on future developments.

Planners will use the study to decide what types of development will best improve and fit in with different areas of the city. The study makes it easier to see the impact a proposed development would have on the individual neighbourhood, as well as the city as a whole. It also provides guidance to developers.

Brighton & Hove’s Urban Characterisation Study has analysed the special character of 32 neighbourhoods, from historic downland settlements and Victorian suburbs to the late 20th century Marina development.

Councillor Geoffrey Theobald [who he?], Brighton & Hove’s cabinet member for environment, said: “Other planning authorities have shown a keen interest in our study. Our staff have put in a lot of time and effort and have produced an easy to understand guide describing the make up of the city and the past influences on its development and identity.

“The study highlights areas that could be improved and these will be taken forward through the Local Development Framework which sets out planning policy for future years.”

The study has been written, illustrated and produced in-house by the Design and Conservation Team of City Planning. The methodology has been taken up by other planning authorities, particularly London boroughs and Southampton City Council, as a model for their own studies.

*** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** ***

The Urban Characterisation Study is an excellent and inspiring piece of work, and I'm thrilled that those who've worked on it have received due acclaim. Well done to you all :)

November Spawned a Mozza*

Morrissey is on Desert Island Discs on Sunday. I am unbelievably excited - every trailer on Radio 4 has me all a-quiver with delicious anticipation. He is one of my heroes and I have loved him since I was 12 years old.

I think I last heard Morrissey (who has consistently viewed the media with suspicion throughout his career) on the radio in June 1986 when he made a rare-as-rockinghorse-s*** appearance to preview The Queen is Dead on Tony "the Greek" Michaelides' *alternative show* on Piccadilly Radio, a much-missed independent Manchester station where Chris Evans began his career as Timmy Mallett's sidekick (not to mention OOH Gary Davies...).

I can remember so vividly sitting in my bedroom, hoping my tape deck was working, hanging on Mozza's every word, transported by the new songs I was hearing, counting the minutes down till I could buy my very own copy (on vinyl, natch). Ah, happy days**.

So roll on 11.15am on Sunday morning! I predict we will hear at least one if not all of the following:

1. Elvis
2. Twinkle
3. Cilla Black
4. Sandie Shaw
5. The Smiths ;)

Happy listening, readers!

PS OMG! Tony the Greek is a blogger! And he's thinking about making a radio comeback! Do it Tony, DO IT!

*I can claim no credit for this witticism - it's the name of a Brighton club night devoted to all things Smiths & Moz-related. Still, as Oscar Wilde (a Mozza idol) is reputed to have said - talent borrows, genius steals ;)

** when I wasn't busy being, erm, miserable lol ;)

Recent Interesting* Industry Stuff

And so to the Planning Committee once more this afternoon, its inexorable three-week cycle trundling on like some sort of built-environment-based menses.

I actually find this frequency and regularity very reassuring - sod the summer break (when everything at the Council more or less shuts down for a couple of weeks), never mind Christmas and Easter (ditto), nothing short of a nuclear war would prevent this vital piece of local democracy in action from occurring - which is a very good thing, given the fact that the Planning Committee is pretty much the only truly democratic voting forum for elected members remaining under the new arrangements at Brighton & Hove City Council. Hats off (pink, hard or otherwise - no laughing at the back there) to the officers for keeping the show on the road, and to such a punishing schedule.

Anyway, it was a mixed bag this week as usual - no major applications, but a plethora of minors which had been brought before the Committee thanks to calls from ward councillors and residents. The most frustrating application concerned a retrospective permission for Primark on Western Road (which Cllr Jason Kitcat has blogged about as ward cllr in his efforts to support residents in their objections) - not least because Primark's representative from mega property consultants Savills was clearly very inexperienced, very nervous, and, erm, couldn't actually answer any of the Committee's questions properly. Super. Very useful. To my mind this was indicative of Primark's generally dismissive attitude towards residents and the council, and to their responsibilities towards their neighbours as a whole. Sadly my arguments suggesting tougher conditions on deliveries and the service area didn't hold sway.

Still, I always enjoy my time at the Planning Committee even if I don't always agree with the decisions made in the meetings, because I *heart* the built environment (when it's designed properly); and with this in mind I thought I'd share some recent industry stories which have caught my eye:

• Birmingham Library denied Listed status (thanks to an entirely politically motivated decision by the (*ahem*) Culture Minister - see my earlier arguments re Technocracy)

• Tory councils 'less likely to grant planning permission' (o rly?)

• Biodiversity loss is Earth's 'immense and hidden' tragedy (yes - and I am so glad Prof Wilson is sticking his head over the parapet to say this at a time when the economic and climate crises have diverted global attention far, far away from protecting and conserving our natural environment)

• But happily... the TEEB Report calls for more ecosystem markets (a pioneering approach which has resonance with the tireless efforts of our City Ecologist in developing the recent draft SPD on Nature Conservation & Development, due for adoption next year)

• Three London councils win Housing funding freedoms (let's hope B&H are next)

• Taskforce to turn churches over to communities launched (good - *secular face*)

• CABE launches green infrastructure campaign (can somebody tell Cllr Geoffrey Theobald?)

• Brighton planners get industry props for winning Amex office changes (great coverage for officers in amidst recent local media controversies - well done all concerned)

• Woman ranked as one of UK's top Builders (excellent news :D)

and finally... [*Trevor McDonald face*]

• Architecture for Pets (I have not shown this to the guys in case they get jealous and start to form ideas above their station)

By the way, in my quest to locate the pink hard hat pic above, I was simultaneously amazed, amused and astonished (not to mention a little appalled) to discover that there is an entire website devoted to Lady Builders' Tools, Equipment and Accessories. OMG. Anyone for a cerise utility belt? If I ever find gainful employment within the industry again, you can bet I'm going to kit myself *RIGHT* out ;)

* interesting to planning, built environment & design spods, that is... I can hear my sister's voice saying "BARRING" lol

Zeitgeist Face

From: A Fan [mailto:a.fan@thefourthestate.co.uk]
Sent: 12 November 2009 13:26
To: Amy Kennedy
Subject: What does a zeitgeist face look like?

-----Original Message-----
From: Amy Kennedy
Sent: 12 November 2009 13:32
To: A Fan [mailto:a.fan@thefourthestate.co.uk]
Subject: RE: What does a zeitgeist face look like?

See attached ;)

-----Original Message-----

From: A Fan [mailto:a.fan@thefourthestate.co.uk]

Sent: 12 November 2009 13:37

To: Amy Kennedy

Subject: Re: What does a zeitgeist face look like?

> See attached ;)

Love it.

Actually, this IS serious

Having been variously damned with faint praise and savaged by a dead sheep in recent days over the lack of *proper politix* on this blog of late, I vowed yesterday to devote some time to blogging about serious matters in coming days.

But I didn't expect things to become quite so serious quite so quickly.

This afternoon I got a call from The Argus. There has been a stabbing incident at Hove Park School today.

I have been campaigning with Prestonville parents over the last few months over many issues at Hove Park - poor GCSE results, an inadequate school bus service, discipline problems - but this is a terrible new low.

Thankfully the child on the receiving end isn't seriously injured, but nevertheless this is still an extremely serious and distressing incident. I have demanded and expect to get some answers from the LEA over the next day or so regarding an urgent plan of action on this.

Very, very sad and shocking news.

Blogging, Biscuits & Bonfires

The Brighton Politics Blogger was in fine form last week, posting a handy guide to local political blogs - a snappy round-up which quite rightly mourned the recent radio-silence from eminent local blogger Neil Harding (Neil, I miss you too and I hope things are OK at your end).

Eagle-eyed readers will perhaps spot an omission from the BPB's original Blogroll: but never fear, the BPB is a true lady/gentleman, and was quick to rectify this: although I can't help feeling that her/his précis of my blog makes me sound rather like the Pam Ayres of the Green blogosphere [*dons dowdy tabard in penance*]...

Meanwhile, Dan Wilson whinges that Brighton & Hove Green bloggers have been strangely silent on the ongoing pay dispute between refuse workers and the local authority, which resulted in industrial action and overflowing bins this week.

PROTIP: Dan, surely you have the wit to understand that speculative blogging about the delicate, high-level and confidential negotiations which have been taking place between the unions and the council in recent days might have been unhelpful, to say the least? Just something for you to ponder there.

Anyway, to those of you who think this blog has gone a bit soft of late, I promise there'll be fewer biscuits, less baking and more, erm, tough political opinion in coming weeks. But in the meantime...

*** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** ***

Regular readers will recall that I like a good bonfire, and that I was sorry that a recent bid by the Sussex Bonfire Societies to secure UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage status for the county-wide tradition failed.

So I was pleased to read that this year's Lewes Bonfire was an overwhelming success, with fewer crowds and only five arrests. Predictably, effigies of Fat Cats and Politicians were burnt on the pyres - they're nothing if not topical, those Lewes Bonfire Societies [*zeitgeist face*].

However, just over the border in Edenbridge, Kent, revellers were treated to the sight of this hideous and rather terrifying effigy going up in flames. Good grief - mine eyes! I'm starting to realise why UNESCO went cold on the idea...

*** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** ***

OK, I must retire to my garret to begin to ponder some serious blogging. A final thought though: is it just me, or do any other Bloggers find the tag suggestions for new posts ("scooters, holidays, autumn") exquisitely poignant?
[*looks around*]
[*SAD face*]
Ah, just me then...