How North Laine Saved Itself From the Bulldozers

Brighton’s North Laine is famous for its independent spirit, but its survival as a bohemian haven wasn't always guaranteed. Back in the late 1960s, a major planning proposal threatened to slice right through the area with a massive flyover. It was only when Ken Fines took over as Borough Planning Officer in 1974 that things changed. He rejected the road plans, pushed for conservation, and suggested the name 'North Laine' to honour the ancient Sussex term for the open fields that once sat at the foot of the Downs. This crucial turning point led to the area being designated a conservation zone in 1977, saving the Victorian terraces and quirky streets we wander through today.

To mark half a century of this community-led survival, a special retrospective exhibition was held earlier this year at the Jubilee Library on Jubilee Street. Curated by Sue Delafons of the North Laine Community Association, the display featured large-scale window images facing Jubilee Square, an illustrated timeline tracing the area's evolution from Georgian market gardens to its modern-day creative hub, and interactive elements like a quiz and video. The milestone also saw the launch of a commemorative book, 'The Best of 50 Years of the North Laine Runner', which compiles five decades of local stories, illustrations, and community history from the neighbourhood's dedicated magazine.

While the main anniversary exhibition wrapped up at the end of January, the spirit of North Laine's heritage remains very much alive. If you want to dive deeper into the local history, you can spot the blue plaque dedicated to Ken Fines on the front of Infinity Foods on North Road. For a look at how the area's historic railway arches have been preserved, the Brighton Toy and Model Museum on Trafalgar Street offers a fascinating trip back in time. Housed in Victorian cellars beneath the station, it showcases a collection of over 12,000 vintage toys and model trains, keeping a slice of Brighton's historic architecture open to the public.