CONCERN over the condition of one of Eastbourne's most important historic buildings has been voiced by the Eastbourne Society.

The Society, which encourages the preservation of the town's fine architecture, has written to the borough council about the apparently deteriorating state of the former Towner art gallery building in Manor Gardens, Old Town.

Members of the Society's executive committee were concerned by reports of vandalism, damage, water penetration and decay at the Georgian building.

Chairman Owen Boydell has written to the council's planning chief, Jeff Collard, expressing the society's worries.

The former Manor House was built in 1776 and sold to the Eastbourne Borough for £19,000 in 1923 for use as the Towner Art Gallery after Alderman Towner had left a bequest of £6,000 and his collection of pictures.

The collection is now housed at the new Towner, adjoining the Congress Theatre, and the old building was sold at auction to a private developer in 2006.

Planning permission has been granted for conversion to apartments, but the work has yet to be started.

In his letter to the council Mr Boydell writes, "This is a Grade II* listed Georgian gem and a vital part of Eastbourne's history, having been the home of Davies Gilbert, Lord of the Manor of Eastbourne in the 18th century.

"We would be grateful to know whether the planning department is taking the necessary steps to ensure that the current owners are properly securing the building against tresspassers and also carrying out the repairs required," he adds.

"We understand that the council has the powers to serve an injunction on the owners if necessary and we would urge this course of action if needed.

"Our greatest concern is the possibility of an arson attack, so action is needed now before it is too late."

Douglas Clowes writes;
"I take this opportunity to introduce myself as the Society’s new planning advisor and Chairman of the newly reformed Planning sub-committee.

I previously served in the old planning committee alongside Mavis Clack and Peter Beake and, following Peter’s departure from the Society during October last year, I was asked to take over his role representing the Society in Eastbourne Council’s Conservation Area Advising Group (CAAG). This consists of 5 councillors, 2 or 3 council officers, Richard Crook (our Architectural Advisor) and myself. We meet at 6pm in the Town Hall approximately 10 times a year and advise on planning applications concerning Listed Buildings, Conservation Areas and Areas of High townscape value. The advice and recommendations given are the passed to the EBC Planning Committee who have the final say to the outcome of any planning applications.

It is not surprising, due to the current financial situation, that during the 5 meetings of the CAAG I have attended since last October where I have been present there have been no new Planning Applications for major or contentious development in the area covered by the CAAG. For your information Eastbourne College’s Music Centre had long passed that stage.

Finally I would like to say that, although I have written about the Society’s role on the CAAG, my Committee will be interesting itself on all aspects concerning the built environment of Eastbourne, past, present and future. One matter particularly comes to mind namely the Development of the Wish Tower restaurant area which we will watching like a hawk."