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A decision is set to be made on the plans to demolish the King Alfred leisure centre in Hove and build a £65 million replacement.

More to follow.

What is happening today?

An extra planning committee meeting is taking place at 2pm in Hove Town Hall to discuss whether plans for the leisure centre will be approved or not.

Plans submitted by Brighton and Hove City Council look to demolish the current King Alfred site and replace it with a modern complex.

The council said the new facility will offer “more usable space”, including a larger gym, pool, teaching pool, sports hall, and the opening of a dedicated spin cycling studio, multi-use community room and café with sea views.

However, the plans have divided opinion with over 600 individuals and civic groups submitting objections.

A protest is due to be held outside the town hall ahead of this afternoon’s meeting.

A visual of what the new leisure centre could look like (Image: BHCC)

Last week, officials backed plans for the centre and recommended that Brighton and Hove City Council’s planning committee be “minded to grant” planning permission for the scheme.

If councillors follow the advice, the planning application – submitted by the council to itself – would be approved subject to detailed agreements being finalised.

Our reporter Francesca Williams will be sharing live updates from the meeting this afternoon.

Protesters have gathered outside the town hall ahead of this afternoon’s meeting.

They joined in chants such as “save the King Alfred” and heard speeches from campaigners.

(Image: NQ)

The meeting is due to begin.

The King Alfred plans are the only item to be discussed at the meeting this afternoon.

The agenda is as follows: planning officers, speakers, questions, clarification from officers, debate, vote.

A range of photos from the site have been presented by council case officer, Maria Searle.

The proposed new centre will include a 25 metre, 8 lane swimming pool (with moveable floor), 136sqm learner pool (with moveable floor), a splash pad and 194 spectator seats.

Plans will also feature a gym/fitness suite, multi-purpose studios, 6-court sports hall, children’s soft play, multi-purpose room and café.

Additionally, plans include a public undercroft car park accessed from Hove Street South with 122 spaces, as well as associated hard and soft landscaping.

The seafront shelter will be relocated and restored. A temporary car park will also be created while work is carried out.

Below is an aerial image of the proposed site:

(Image: BHCC)

Images below show proposed visuals of what the centre could look like.

The details, including colour, would be subject to conditions.

Proposed visual looking north (Image: BHCC)

Proposed visual looking south (Image: BHCC)

Proposed visual of the leisure centre (Image: BHCC)

613 objections have been submitted against the plans, alongside a petition with 1917 signatures.

Objections raised concerns that plans had come forward without the wider building plans, the centre’s role as a heritage asset, the sport and leisure offering proposed and how the existing building could be used.

Councillors have been presented with a range of key considerations and planning balance.

It was heard that the plans “significant benefits outweigh any drawbacks on the scheme” and the plans were recommended to grant permission.

The first speaker, Hove resident Kerry Herbert is sharing her objections to the committee.

She owns a beach hut on the seafront adjacent to the King Alfred. The hut has step free access and Ms Herbert said she uses this to escape from being housebound, particularly following the Covid lockdown.

She said her “daily life and health will be damaged by the development” if it is approved.

Ms Herbert presented her points using props to demonstrate the scale of the development which she said will “dwarf buildings, beach huts and properties”.

The second speaker is Chris Roche, a member of campaign group Friend of King Alfred.

He raised concerns about the designs for the roof and the positioning of the entrance.

He concluded his presentation stating that he had contacted Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government Angela Rayner regarding the proposal and told the council “shame on you”.

Chris Roche presenting his objections to the committee (Image: NQ)

Another speakers sharing their objections is Rebecca Sage – a legal representative for resident and key campaigner Laura King.

She criticised the positivity of the sustainability assessment stating the committee “cannot shut its eyes to reality”.

Ms Sage also questioned the need to demolish rather than refurbishing the current premises and the wider masterplan.

The final objecting speaker is Emma Andrews, a resident and member of King Alfred Community Leisure Hub: Save and Expand.

Ms Andrews also raised concerns about the wider plan describing the plans as a “publicly funded housing enabler which falls short of the expanded and diversified sports provisions needed”.

Three speakers shared their support for the proposal.

These included Head of Placemaking Sam Smith who emphasised the importance of the development, given its history.

Mr Smith stated that the council had “engaged extensively” with sports clubs, national bodies, residents and ward councillors.

His speech was met with jeers from the public gallery who were asked to “respect those speaking”.

Councillor Alan Robins also spoke to share his support for the proposal.

He said the current centre is “aging, increasingly expensive to maintain and no longer fit for the needs of a modern city”.

Cllr Robins raised fears that the centre will have to close if something is not done to improve the site.

Committee members have been given the opportunity to ask any questions regarding the proposal.

Questions raised have included concerns over the height of the proposed car park, the use of solar panels, coach parking and accessibility of the site and its facilities.

Following a short break, committee members are continuing to ask questions about the proposal.

Further questions have been asked about the height of the proposed car park and how this will effect coach and mini-bus parking.

Committee members have also questioned the access for emergency services.

Questions have moved onto the topic of sport facilities at the centre, in particular the swimming pool and its moveable floor.

Three and a half hours into the meeting, committee members are continuing to ask questions.

The topic has moved onto sustainability, with members questioning the impact of building a new site rather than refitting the current facilities.

The meeting has been paused for another break and will resume again at 6pm.

The meeting has resumed and questioning has turned to the proposed design of the building.

Questions have been completed and the conservation advisory group is now set to speak.

Michael Doyle from the Conservation Advisory Group (CAG) shared the groups concerns about the proposal.

Mr Doyle described the leisure centre as the “most significant civic building of our generation”.

The group called for the committee to focus on the heritage of the building and whether the harm to this is avoidable.

A representative for CAG speaking at the meeting (Image: NQ)

In response to CAGs points, the application’s case officer highlighted that the allocated site had been identified for “major strategic development for the city”.

They acknowledged there would be “some harm” but asked committee members to “not forget the planning considerations” and “consider the application as a whole”, balancing policies and weighing this up with public benefits.

The committee has begun their debate.

Councillor Sheard has begun the debate.

He noted the points raised but said he was “not convinced amenities would truly be lost” and said he will be minded to grant permission.

Both Councillor Nann and Councillor Parrot said they will also be voting for it.

Cllr Parrot said she felt “reassured and hopeful to be included in discussions on how to deliver this”.

Councillor Earthey raised concerns about several elements of the plans, however said he will be voting for permission to be granted.

Councillor Robinson is now speaking.

She said she is “pleased plans have moved on a fair way” and noted that although the proposal is not perfect, there are reasons to it.

She said she will be voting for it.

Councillor Guilmant has also said he will voting for the application.

Councillor Pickett is now speaking.

She highlighted that “valid points” had been raised and acknowledged people’s love for the current building, but said “we do have to move forward”.

Cllr Pickett added that she is “hopeful for what is being offered will provide better operational costs” and said she will be supporting the application.

Councillor Theobald criticised the design of the building and said the facilities proposed are “on the small side”, referencing the size of the pool, splash area and that there is not enough for teenagers.

She said “there should have been one application, not two” and for it to come back with improvements.

Chair of the committee, Councillor Thomson thanked people for their input.

She said: “I think we have something in front of us fit for the 21st century. I’m really reassured about the conditions.”

With eight votes for and one against, the application is approved.

Read the full write up from this afternoon’s council meeting here: Plans for King Alfred Leisure Centre in Hove approved | The Argus