James Gray: Laine House was about 75 yards to the north of Effingham Lodge, and was the last of the three large houses and gardens purchased by Brighton Council so that the whole area could be redeveloped as a single entity. From 1954 onwards the Corporation gradually acquired these houses and spare land behind, at a reputed cost in total of £131,850. They are said to have sold the entire site for more than a million pounds, so it is no wonder that these are known as the ‘Golden Acres.’ The south side of the house, looking from rear to front. jgc_34_081
James Gray: Laine House was about 75 yards to the north of Effingham Lodge, and was the last of the three large houses and gardens purchased by Brighton Council so that the whole area could be redeveloped as a single entity. From 1954 onwards the Corporation gradually acquired these houses and spare land behind, at a reputed cost in total of £131,850. They are said to have sold the entire site for more than a million pounds, so it is no wonder that these are known as the ‘Golden Acres.’ Another view of the front of the house. jgc_34_083
James Gray: The stables with coachman’s quarters above were well hidden from view behind the house. In the forecourt was a bricked over well, at one time worked by a pump. jgc_34_084
2019: The site of the Laine House stables and coachman’s quarters is in the back garden of Nos 2 and 1 Laine Close, which are shown (left to right) in the 2019 image.
James Gray: The view of the north façade of the house, looking from the rear to front. All photographs (jgc_34_080 to jgc_34_089) taken on 4 January 1972. jgc_34_086
2019: The north façade of Wellingtonia Court runs parallel to the north façade of Laine House, although the latter was a little further north in the parking area seen here. The porch seen in the 1972 image would have been roughly where the two-storey projection can be seen behind the black car. (Photographer: Jane Southern)
James Gray: The rear portion of the house, with south facing wall. This may have been a later addition. In more recent times it was a self contained flat, hence the access stairs. jgc_34_085
James Gray: The stables and coachman’s quarters above, which were well hidden from view behind the house. In the forecourt was a bricked over well, at one time worked by a pump. jgc_34_087 Additional Information: and JSG himself.