Minutes from meeting on Thursday 14 November, 4.30 pm, 

Present:  Paul Shellard, John and Liz Scatchard, Rory McDermott, Imelda and Paddy Cleary, Steve Preston, Sarah Dawson, John Coulthard, Vikki Middleton, Derylie Mountford, Janet Eve, Matt Keefe (BC Project Manager), Graham Kennedy (BC Community Liaison Lead), Belinda Forsythe (BC Director of Operations), Tom Bourner, Bob Smale, Terry Conway, Tyler Savage, Jules Nelson Nduka, Eve Vamvas

Apologies:  Talia Rodgers, Mark Strong, Thomas Adcock, Martin McCabe, Chris Ward, Gary Wilkinson, Theresa Mackey, Milla Gauge, Tristram Burden, Gill Williams, David McGregor

Eve Vamas emailed questions to Graham Kennedy on Tuesday 22 April; Graham Kennedy emailed BC’s agenda today, Thursday 1 May.  

1)    Community News - BC told us about their new market at Montague Place, their interest in a community post office, Bark in the Park, and proposed Kemptown Carnival next summer.  Invited residents to propose community projects.  

2)Transport Update - BF told us about reduction in coaches, hiring of 17 extra minibus drivers, discount negotiated with Spirit of Sussex if coaches double park, two new free bus services for pupils in Pre Prep, lease of 40 parking spaces in Freshfield Industrial estate.  Next task:  to sort minibuses/congestion in Belle Vue Gardens.  Invited residents to propose transport solutions.

3) Noise on the Home Ground

Pupils only allowed to play on Home Ground, with supervision, until 7.30pm, extended to 8.45 pm in the summer term.  Curfew is 8.30pm for international students during the holidays.  

4) Buildings/construction update

Matt Keefe could/would not comment on the current planning application (BH2025/00264) to build a new prep school at St. Mary’s Hall and boarding accommodation for over 150 students at 2 Walpole Road. 

5) Community Use (including use of sports facilities)

Residents invited by letter  to use the sports facilities. 2000 letters sent out by BC this week, not a single resident attending this meeting had received it.  

6) Questions submitted by Eve Vamvas on 22 April: 

1) How many pupils will attend the St Mary’s Hall site during the new build’s construction? Couldn’t/wouldn’t answer

2) What will the pupil capacity be at St Mary’s Hall when the new build is complete?  

Couldn’t/wouldn’t answer            

3) How many pupils will attend the College on Eastern Road during the construction of the boarding house at 2 Walpole road? 

Couldn’t/wouldn’t answer

4) What will the pupil capacity be at the College on Eastern road when the boarding house is complete?    

Couldn’t/wouldn’t answer

5) How many coaches will service games day travel from both sites?   

No more than two double decker buses in Sutherland Road at any time

6) How is the College going to make their sports facilities available to the community?

Letters nobody receives

7) Will the sites at St Mary’s Hall and 2 Walpole Road be used by language students during College school holidays? 

No plans currently after this year for language students in the holidays 

8) How does the College propose to involve local residents and business owners in the school’s travel plan?    

Via Graham Kennedy’s involvement with Kemp Town Business Alliance

9) The Planning Application (BH2025/00264) refers to the College’s ‘five year plan’.  Will the College share this plan with the community?   

No 

10) What are the College’s plans for the chapel on Montague Place?

Currently used for teaching, drama lessons and accommodation for staff.  

11) Is the College looking to acquire the boarding facilities currently being sold by Hamilton Lodge? No

12) How much is the proposed development predicted to cost?  And where is the funding coming from to pay for it?   EV quoted Steve Patten from the ‘exhibition’ in October ‘24 - £30 million.  Funding from a bank loan (MK)

AOB

Three people knocked over on zebra crossing on Eastern Road outside the school; BC have footage on CCTV.  BF asked residents to report to the council.