Brighton and Hove: ‘Ridiculous’ flats rejected

Plans to build an 11-storey block of flats on a corner plot in Portslade were described as “ridiculous” as councillors refused to approve the scheme.

They turned down planning permission because of concerns about the height and design of three proposed blocks of flats and a lack of parking.

The scheme was put forward by a property company, Luna Group, which is part-owned by former Brighton and Hove Albion striker Bobby Zamora and West Ham United skipper Mark Noble.

Zamora, 40, and Noble, 33, are also directors of Luna Group which sought planning permission for a scheme in three stages from Brighton and Hove City Council.

The scheme was described as a welcome redevelopment – in principle – of the brownfield site in Wellington Road and Camden Street, Portslade, opposite Shoreham Harbour.

And, at a virtual meeting of the council’s Planning Committee on Wednesday 5 May, councillors wrestled with the need for more housing on brownfield sites and the number of affordable homes.

Luna proposed that at least 54 of the 136 flats should be classed as “affordable” housing in line with the 40 per cent required under council planning policies.

But councillors were concerned about the effect that more than 100 new homes – and offices – would have on parking in the area.
The site includes the old Flexer Sacks factory and the corner where the troubled Harbour View pub once stood.

Wellington Road site

The plot is currently occupied by the Circle Studios, the Underground Gym, a hand car wash and a parking deck.

In the first phase, Luna proposed building an 11-storey block on the corner site where the car wash is based. The block would contain offices and 65 flats – 26 of them classed as “affordable”.

The plans for phase two and three included a nine-storey block and a seven-storey one, containing 71 homes in total and space for more offices and leisure use.

One objector, Simon Page, of St Andrew’s Road, Portslade, spoke for his neighbours, criticising the proposed height of the buildings and the “poor design” which he said would not improve the character of the area. He also raised concerns about parking because the scheme would be likely to result in an extra 100 cars in an area already at “maximum capacity”.

A further 18 objections were sent after the meeting papers were published in addition to the two original objections.

Conservative councillor Joe Miller backed the scheme because of the need for more homes and, particularly, for affordable housing. But, he said, he appreciated the stress on parking in the area, adding:

“I personally quite like the design of the buildings. It’s a vast improvement on what’s there, which I think is quite unsightly.

“I think that kind of regeneration of Portslade industrial estates or randomised blocks with replacement office accommodation as well is particularly welcome.”

His Conservative colleague Carol Theobald said that the scheme was “ridiculous”. She said:

“It is a ridiculous height. We are not New York. This will affect other properties around there from a long way off. They’ll see this big block sitting there.”

The scheme was turned down by seven votes to two.