sea lanes, madeira drive brighton, east sussex

Sea Lanes, Madeira Drive Brighton, East Sussex.

Archaeology Statement

Planning Ref. BH2019/00293 Prepared for RF Consultants

NGR: 532250 103619

ASE Project no. 190344 Report No. : 2019228

Archaeology South-East, Units 1 & 2

2 Chapel Place Portslade

East Sussex BN41 1DR

Tel: 01273 426830 Fax: 01273 420866

[email protected] www.ucl.ac.uk/archaeologyse

Sea Lanes, Madeira Drive

Brighton, East Sussex.

Archaeology Statement

Prepared for RF Consultants

NGR: 532250 103619

ASE Project no. 190344 Report No. : 2019228

Prepared by: Ellen Heppell Senior Archaeologist

Reviewed and

approved by: Jon Sygrave Project Manager

Date of Issue: August 2019

Version: 1

Archaeology South-East, Units 1 & 2

2 Chapel Place Portslade

East Sussex BN41 1DR

Tel: 01273 426830 Fax: 01273 420866

[email protected] www.ucl.ac.uk/archaeologyse

Archaeology South-East

Sea Lanes, Brighton, East Sussex. Archaeology Statement

i

CONTENTS 1.0 Introduction 2.0 Site Topography and Geology 3.0 The Volk’s Railway 4.0 Impact of Proposed Development

Appendix 1 Development Proposals

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

Fig. 1 Site location Fig. 2 Detailed Site location Fig. 3 Extract from Ordnance Survey 1898



1

1.0 INTRODUCTION 1.1 Archaeology South-East (ASE), the contracting division of The Centre for Applied

Archaeology at the Institute of Archaeology, University College London (UCL), have been commissioned by RF Consultants to undertake archaeological works in relation to the Sea Lanes development at Madeira Drive, Brighton , hereafter ‘the site’ (Figure 1).

1.2 The Sea Lanes development will include an outdoor swimming pool and associated

facilities, flexible events space, and 1-2 storey relocatable modular buildings with first floor deck to provide mixed leisure/retail/food/drink/office uses with associated cycle parking, refuse storage, landscaping, boundary treatment and retractable beach mat (Planning Ref. BH2019/00293). The site is currently disused and comprises an area of hardstanding, the electric railway and the shingle beach The indicative location of the works is illustrated in Figure 2 and figures showing the detailed site proposals are provided in Appendix 1.

1.3 The site is situated within the East Cliff Conservation Area and has been identified as

lying within an area of archaeological interest, particularly in reference to the Volks Railway of 1883. Accordingly the East Sussex County Council Archaeological Advisor, who advises the LPA on archaeological matters, has recommended that an archaeological condition be placed upon any planning consent. This is described as follows:

(a). No development of each respective phase shall take place until the applicant has

secured the implementation of a programme of archaeological works in accordance with a written scheme of investigation which has been submitted by the applicant and approved by the Local Planning Authority. (b) A written record of any archaeological works undertaken shall be submitted to the Local Planning Authority within 3 months of the completion of any archaeological investigation unless an alternative timescale for submission of the report is first agreed in writing with the Local Planning Authority. Reason: To ensure that the archaeological and historical interest of the site is safeguarded and recorded to comply policies HE12 of the Brighton and Hove Local Plan and CP15 of the Brighton and Hove City Plan Part One.

1.4 The ESCC Archaeological Advisor considered that the proposed development had the potential to impact upon the remains of the railway and as such recommended that a programme of archaeological works (watching brief) should be implemented. These recommendations were in line with the requirements given in the NPPF. In the course of preparing the Written Scheme of Investigation (as required by part a of the condition) it was established that the railway infrastructure which was to be investigated, had been removed in 2006. The ESCC Archaeological Advisor has therefore requested that a brief report be prepared in relation to this.

1.5 This document is an archaeology statement prepared by ASE in relation to the impact

upon the Volk’s Railway, which was the target of the proposed works. It will be submitted to the ESCC archaeological advisor in order to discharge the planning condition (above).



2

2.0 SITE BACKGROUND 2.1 Site Description 2.1.1 The site comprises an area of hardstanding and an area of the shingle beach (A, Fig.1).

The site was most recently ‘Peter Pans’ - an area of amusements, rides and a temporary theatre/food court in the summer season of 2016. The historic route of the Volks Railway ran along the southern edge of the hardstanding area. The current route of the electric railway runs on the shingle to the south of its former route – it is understood to have been diverted in c. 20061.

2.2 Geology 2.2.1 According to the British Geological Survey 1:50,000 scale geological mapping available

online2, the underlying bedrock geology is the Seaford Chalk Formation. Superficial deposits are shown as Storm Beach Deposits.

2.3 Development Proposals 2.3.1 The development proposals are summarised as follows

Erection of outdoor swimming pool (25m x 12.5m) and changing/plant rooms (D2 use), flexible events space (D2 use) and 1-2 storey relocatable modular buildings with first floor deck to provide mixed leisure/retail/food/drink/office uses (D2/A1/A3/A4/A5/B1 uses) with associated cycle parking, refuse storage, landscaping, boundary treatment and retractable beach mat. Temporary (meanwhile use) for 5 years. Planning Ref BH2019/00293

1 http://volkselectricrailway.co.uk/gallery/photos/john-goddard-gallery-2006/ Accessed July 2019 2 http://mapapps.bgs.ac.uk/geologyofbritain/home.html, accessed May 2019

http://volkselectricrailway.co.uk/gallery/photos/john-goddard-gallery-2006/



3

3.0 THE VOLKS RAILWAY 3.1 Until the latter part of the 18th century Brighton was a slowly declining fishing settlement.

However in the mid-1750s Doctor Richard Russell of Lewes had published a book on the healing properties of the sea water at Brighton, which served to encourage tourism to the town. This attracted people to the town and resulted in its development as a Spa Town. Its popularity was further entrenched when the Prince Regent built the Brighton Pavilion and moved to the town in 1784.

3.2 By the 1760s the Old Town was nearing capacity and the eastern side was established

as the area where resort development would be concentrated, mainly due to its proximity to East Street (where most resort facilities were clustered) and the Steine as well as to the sea. The Marine Parade, along the top of the East Cliff was little more than a track until it was widened and the promenade constructed, along with a sea-wall, in 1827-38. Beneath the sea wall the two-tier, arched cast iron colonnade of Madeira Terrace along with the Madeira Lift was built between 1890-97 to the designs of the Borough Surveyor, Philip Lockwood. Seaward of this the Madeira Drive and promenades were established.

3.3 In 1883 the Volk’s Railway was established by Magnus Volk and its history is

summarised below, with due acknowledgement to the Volk’s Electric Railway Association3. It comprised a narrow gauge electric railway, the earliest in Britain, which initially ran along the shore between the Aquarium and Chain Pier (the latter was destroyed in 1896). Magnus almost immediately sought to extend the line to the west but failed to get permission. As such he ran the line eastwards to the Banjo Groyne which had been built in c.1880. A station was built at this end of the line and a Halfway Station and passing loop was constructed between it and the Aquarium. Volk rented ‘The Arch’ at Paston Place for a workshop and power facilities.

3.4 This early part of the line ran along the seashore but timber trestles were required to

bridge gaps in the shingle and gradients allowed it to pass under the chain pier. In 1886 the track was raised throughout its length by means of a wooden trestles and iron viaducts. The track was originally 2 ft gauge but widened to 2ft 8 ½ inches in 1884.

3.5 The railway was originally powered by a 2hp Otto gas engine driving a Siemans D5 50

volt DC generator. This was upgraded in 1884 to an Otto 12 hp gas engine powering a Siemens D2 dynamo at 160 rpm. It was eventually connected to mains electricity. Each electric car was fitted with a small motor. Initially current was fed to the motors on the cars by using one rail as the live feed and the other for the return. Leakage caused by the wet conditions saw an insulated third rail fitted in 1886 to provide the live feed with return now allowed through both running rails.

3.6 The line was extended from the Banjo Groyne to Rottingdean in the 1890s. This length

was known as the ‘Daddy Long Legs’; the car being on legs which were 23ft long. They supported a saloon and promenade. The legs linked to two sets of rails at shore level thus raising the car above the sea. Construction began in 1894 and it opened in 1896 but soon suffered storm damage. It reopened in 1897 but was abandoned in 1902.

3 http://volkselectricrailway.co.uk/history/the-volks-electric-railway/1883-1900/ Accessed July 2019

http://volkselectricrailway.co.uk/history/the-volks-electric-railway/1883-1900/



4

3.7 The Volk’s Railway was transferred to the Brighton Corporation control in 1938, who leased the line to Herman Volk. The Corporation took full control in 1940, and the railway ran its last train that July. Following the end of World War II the Corporation rebuilt the railway in 1947, using 50lb rail for the running line and 25lb mounted on insulators for the third rail. It reopened in 1948. The 1960s saw the introduction of two-car operation and eventual removal of sidings. The railway was continuing to decline but there were centenial celebrations in 1983 and it continues to operate. In c.2006 a section of the track to the west of the Halfway Station was diverted. This section lay partly within the site boundaries. Photographs taken during the works show parts of the hardstanding being broken up and the track lifted 4. It has recently been the subject of a HLF funded renovation project.

3.8 The extension of the banjo pier with the arrival of the railway allowed the beach to

expand in width and it was eventually reclaimed as an area for various attractions. In the vicinity of the site these included a pleasure garden and bandstand, superseded after World War II by a leisure centre with funfair rides, arcades, roller skating, swings, roundabouts etc. Following a fire in 1987 the area declined until the beach volleyball centre opened in 2007 (Sea Lanes Heritage Statement 2019).

4 http://volkselectricrailway.co.uk/gallery/photos/john-goddard-gallery-2006/ Accessed July 2019




5

4.0 IIMPACT OF PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT 4.1 This section of the report considers the significance of the impacts of the proposed

works on heritage assets or archaeological interest associated with the Volk’s Railway.

4.2 Reference to historic and modern mapping along with site photographs and aerial

images on Google Earth show that the historic route of the Volk’s Railway did cross the site, approximately along the southern edge of the hardstanding area of the site.

Google Earth Image 2004 – Showing Line of Railway (Red)

4.3 In 2006 this section of the line was re-routed to kink south in the vicinity of the site.

Photographs of this by John Goddard are published at http://volkselectricrailway.co.uk/gallery/photos/john-goddard-gallery-2006/ . These show the works in progress, including the line prior to the works and the lifting of the existing tracks, presumably for re-use. Parts of the hardstanding were also broken up. To the east of the site, between it and the Banjo Groyne, the route was shifted north to the edge of the Madeira Drive to provide space for the new beach sports facility.




6

Google Earth image 2007 –Showing new route

4.4 Given that the track of the Volk’s Railway has been removed where it crosses the site

it is considered that there is no longer any surviving archaeological interest in this site in relation to the railway. Accordingly no impacts on the heritage assets of archaeological interest will arise from the development.

Max Millers Walk

TCB

MADEIRA DRIVE

PCSloping masonry

Electric Railway

Beach Sports Venue

bin

binbin

bin

binbin

binbinbinbin

binbin

binbin

PROPOSED GROUND FLOOR PLANSCALE 1:250 @ A1

Part M compliant platform Lift

Existing railway access crossing 4m wide

Bin store allocated to Food and Beverage area.7 x 660 litres (7 wheeled bins) total 5280 Litres. Covering 427sqm of F&B areas.

4700

SCHEDULE OF ACCOMMODATION

Turnstile access door and double escape doors.

0 5 M

MODULAR UNIT TYPE SCHEDULE20ft unit (6.02m x 2.438m - 14m2)10ft unit (3m x 2.438 - 7m2)

GROUND FLOOR LEISURE & COMMERCIAL 39 x 14m2 (6.02 x 2.438) = 546m24 x 7m2 (3 x 2.438) = 28m2TOTAL 574m2

GROUND FLOOR (SWIMMING AREAS)13 x 14m2 (6.02 x 2.438) = 182m21 x 7m2 (3 x 2.438) = 7m2TOTAL 189m2

GROUND FLOOR WCS TO SERVE LEISURE & COMMERCIAL USE2 X 14m2 (6.02 X 2.438) = 28m2

FIRST FLOOR LEISURE & COMMERCIAL USE17 x 14m2 (6.02 x 2.438) = 238m24 x 7m2 (3 x 2.438) 28m2

GROUND FLOOR GENERAL WASTE AND RECYCLING.1 X 14m2 (6.02 X 2.438) = 14m23 X 7m2 (3 x 2.438) 21m2TOTAL 266 m2

GROUND FLOOR FOOD & BEVERAGE USE5 x 7m2 (3 x 2.438) = 35m212 x 14m2 (6.02 x 2.438) = 168m2 TOTAL 217m2

GROUND FLOOR WCS TO SERVE FOOD & BEVERAGE USE2 x 14m2 (6.02 X 2.438) = 28m2

FIRST FLOOR FOOD & BEVERAGE USE3 x 14m2 (6.02 x 2.438) = 42m2

GROUND FLOOR UNIT FOR CYCLE STORAGE.1 x 7m2 (3 x 2.438) = 7m2

TOTAL MODULAR UNITS QTY (BOTH LEVELS)20ft units = TOTAL 89 = 1246 m2 10ft units = TOTAL 18 = 126 m2 GRAND TOTAL = 1372 m2

RAMP

Staircase (open risers) up to Lifeguard unit and deck.

Sheffield style ‘toast rack’ cycle parking for 16 bikes.

Cycle storage in modular unit for 8 bicycles.

Swimming pool plant - 2 units.

Planted areas on site and additional planting corridor on southern side proposed outside of site boundary and area north of pool within site boundary - 371 m2.

Boundary/fence line to railway line

Planted areas on site area A abutting fence between modular units to create planting zones. Total planting space created - 174 m2

Bin stores

Lockable, folding security gates.



Fence to enclose site.

Covered cycle storage area with Sheffield style toast rack - 10 bikes.

Cycle storage area with Sheffield style toast rack covered under bridge - 6 bikes.



Lockable security gates to secure swimming pool, pool office, changing rooms, WC’s and plant areas.

SWIMMING POOL - 25M x 12.5M

Space for ‘endless pool’ training facility.3 units.

Storage.1 unit.

EXISTING PARKING SPACES (CPZ) ON MADEIARA DRIVE

UNIT ACCOMMODATION SUMMARY

TOTAL COMMERCIAL & LEISURE USE = 840 m2TOTAL SWIMMING POOL AND ASSOCIATED FACILITY USE = 189 m2TOTAL FOOD AND BEVERAGE USE = 245 m2TOTAL = 1274 m2

ANCILLARY

TOTAL WC FACILITIES = 56 m2GENERAL WASTE & RECYCLING FACILITIES = 35 m2CYCLE STORAGE & WHEEL CHAIR CHAGE UNIT = 7 m2

TOTAL = 98 m2

GRAND TOTAL = 1372 m2

SECURE AND COVERED CYCLE SPACES = 45 spaces.Note: Full quantum of covered cycle storage facilites not included in calculation.

126630

Site boundary fencing in line with Yellow wave site boundary fencing.

Loading area with bay to keep beach access unobstructed.Turning space for deliveries and servicing.

Unit removed for increased vision splay for vehicule leaving site.

4955

WC BLOCK

WC BLOCK

Male & Female WC facilities.

Male & Female WC facilities.

Pool facility office with wheel chair charging and assistance.

Seperate Male and Female changing facilities with seperate’Changing Spaces’ changing and WC facility.

AA

CC

B

B

D

D E

E

F

FG

G

H

H

I

I

J

J

K

K

Use only written or calculated dimensions. Do not scale. This drawing must only be used for the purpose intended. Any discrepancies on or between all drawings issued must be drawn to the attention of the Designer for clarification. All drawings are to be read in conjunction with the relevant specialists drawings.

All dimensions must be confirmed on site.This drawing is copyright and no part of it may be reproduced without consent.This drawing and the details thereon do not constitute an instruction.

This drawing is design intent only and is not intended for use in manufacturing, construction or fitting out, it is the contractor’s responsibility to ensure all materials and specifications are fit for purpose. Nothing on this drawing or associated specifications should be construed to relieve the contractor from their obligation to do a professional and workmanlike job.

Rev Date PersonReason

Notes

0003

1:250 @ A1

Client:

Drawing title:

Date:Project number:

Status: Drawing number:

Project:

T +44 (0) 1273 778077M +44 (0) 7889 069371E [email protected]

W www.weliketoday.co.uk

Unit 2, Albert Works, Conway StreetHove, East Sussex, BN3 3LW

Rev:WLT_SL02/02/19

Sea LanesSea Lanes

PLANNING

Scale:

PROPOSED GROUND FLOOR GA PLAN

5320

00

5330

00

103000

104000

105000

Contains Ordnance Survey dataCrown copyright and database right 2017

N

Archaeology South-East©

Report Ref: 2019228Project Ref: 190344

Drawn by: EMH

Sea Lanes, Madeira Drive, BrightonFig. 1

Site locationJuly 2019

The Site

0 0.5km

Sussex Office Essex Office London Office

Units 1& 2 27 Eastways Centre for Applied Archaeology 2 Chapel Place Witham UCL Institute of Archaeology Portslade Essex 31-34 Gordon Square East Sussex BN41 1DR CM8 3YQ London WC1H 0PY tel: +44(0)1273 426830 tel: +44(0)1376 331470 tel: +44(0)20 7679 4778 email: [email protected] email: [email protected] email: [email protected] web: www.ucl.ac.uk/archaeologyse web: www.ucl.ac.uk/archaeologyse web: www.ucl.ac.uk/caa

mailto:[email protected]



sea lanes, madeira drive brighton, east sussex

Documents