An application by former tenants of New England House to have the landmark building designated an asset of community value has been rejected by Brighton and Hove City Council. At the meeting almost a fortnight ago, senior councillors heard from former directors of the digital trade body Wired Sussex, representing the Friends of New England House, in New England Street, Brighton. They spoke out about the prospect of a sale going ahead while they awaited the outcome of an application to designate the building an asset of community value. Officials considered, for example, whether to retrofit or demolish and rebuild New England House. They left after “an independent fire engineer concluded that New England House presented an intolerable fire risk in its existing condition” in November 2024.