This week a by-election has been called for Rottingdean Coastal ward on Brighton & Hove City Council, to be held on Thursday 5th May.

The key ward, which is one of the biggest in the city, includes the elongated eastern coastal strip that stretches from the edge of Kemptown to the eastern boundary of the City, including the residential areas of Sussex Square, Black Rock, Brighton Marina, Roedean, Ovingdean and Saltdean.  It is an important part of the city with its own character, community groups, conservation zones and even a Parish Council.

Our local Conservative Team has been delighted to announce that long-standing Rottingdean resident Lynda Hyde has been selected to be our Conservative candidate in this important by-election.

Lynda previously served as a Councillor on Brighton and Hove City Council from 1999-2019 and knows the ins and outs of Brighton and Hove City Council like the back of her hand, how to effect change and to get the important issues dealt with for residents.

Having lived in Rottingdean for 35 years Lynda is known by many residents and has strong local links with the community.  She has previously been a long-standing Governor and Brown Owl at the local Brownies and is currently a performer in the Ovingdean pantomime!

Lynda, is the ideal candidate to fill the vacancy in Rottingdean Coastal ward and would be able to hit the ground running on day one.  She was unanimously endorsed to be the Conservative candidate by our members.

There is plenty at stake for local residents in this Rottingdean Coastal by-election, including protecting the character of the seafront and its conservation areas; restoring at-risk seafront heritage; protecting the urban fringe from development and challenging Labour and the Greens’ excessive parking hikes and other anti-car policies.

Residents in the ward are frustrated with the council’s recent planning decisions, which have impacted the character of the area.  With many years’ previous experience on the planning committee, including as its Chair, Lynda has a track record of success standing up for residents on planning issues and getting results.

The Rottingdean Coastal ward also contains much of Brighton’s at-risk seafront heritage, from the edge of Madeira Terraces to Saltdean Lido, which residents want to see restored as a priority after years of Council neglect.  The Conservative Team at Brighton and Hove City Council believes heritage restoration should be the number one public works priority for the city.

Our Conservative Councillors have delivered £1.135 million to kick start the restoration of Saltdean Lido, which is now underway and Lynda would work closely to deliver the full restoration with the Community Interest Group.  This will include a water sports wing, spacious ballroom, coffee lounge and café, refurbished library, heritage learning zone, exercise studio and community meeting rooms.  The Conservatives have delivered £9.15 million to restore 80 of the 151 arches at Madeira Terraces; and £150,000 to start restoring our historic seafront railings.  We have also met with the Volk’s Electric Railway Association about a vision to upgrade and extend the heritage railway east to the new Black Rock site and have delivered £100,000 for a new disabled access carriage for the line.

Residents also want their precious green spaces protected from development.  The Green/Labour ten year development plan - City plan part two - would see development on 15 urban fringe sites across the city, including sites in Rottingdean Coastal.  As the Sussex Wildlife Trust has said, there is no need to build on the green belt in Brighton and Hove, with statistics showing there is more than enough brownfield sites available to meet housing targets.

Residents are also deeply concerned about the Green/Labour Council’s anti-car policies, including excessive parking charge hikes that are putting more pressure on residents.  The Conservatives stopped the Council introducing paid parking at Saltdean Oval and are standing against Labour and the Greens’ outrageous plan for up to 15% increases at Rottingdean Marine Cliffs and West Street car parks and up to 40% increases to surcharges for residential permits across residential parking zones, including Sussex Square. 

At Black Rock, the Council’s £16 million Black Rock rejuvenation project is running significantly over budget and lacking transparency.  Lynda will look to get a firm grip on this project, its progress and ensure residents are better involved.

We will be campaigning strongly for Lynda’s election at the upcoming by-election and putting forward our positive Conservative plans for Rottingdean Coastal.