A proposal to boost seating capacity at the renovated Hippodrome venue in Brighton is set to be discussed by council members next week.
The planning committee of Brighton and Hove City Council has been recommended to endorse modifications to the theatre’s current planning consent, originally given in July 2024.
Councillors will examine the newest plans during their session on Wednesday, April 1.
Alongside raising capacity at the Middle Street location from 1,800 to 2,300, committee members are also being asked to consider eliminating rehearsal facilities within the fly tower, together with a restaurant featuring a rooftop bar and a members’ establishment complete with an outdoor terrace.
The property owner, Matsim, is additionally seeking modifications to roof specifications, expanding emergency exit dimensions, eliminating the main entrance portico in favour of ornamental framing, and adjusting the schedule for preservation work milestones.
The Grade II* listed structure continues to feature on registers maintained by Historic England and Theatres Trust highlighting buildings at risk, having remained unused for two decades despite now possessing a new roof and having dry rot eradicated.
The expansion of audience capacity ties in with a live music operator having signed an agreement to manage the venue, widely understood to be Academy Music Group under the Live Nation umbrella.
The submission contains a statement from Huw James, director at ECE Planning, indicating that the proposed alterations were shaped to accommodate the operator, with the initial application having been crafted to allow flexibility.
Mr James explained that an operator has now been secured and the development requirements are more clearly defined. The design modifications put forward aim to bring planning conditions and approved documents into closer alignment with the updated development description and operator specifications.
Once structural work reaches completion, the premises will be handed to the incoming operator for fitting out and final preparations ahead of opening.
The council has logged 40 representations of objection from 19 individuals alongside those from the Old Town Alliance group.
The Old Town Alliance stated that since the council has already conceded this development causes harm to amenities, any claimed public-realm advantage must encompass direct, physical measures to protect the most impacted residents. They are therefore formally requesting that a contribution be secured obliging the operator to fund, install and permanently maintain security barriers at the entrances to the Ship Street Gardens twitten. This alleyway would function as a principal exit route for up to 2,300 patrons. Without barriers, it would be susceptible to late-night gathering, noise, anti-social behaviour and erosion of residential privacy.
A complainant whose details were removed by the council stated that while supportive of the Hippodrome’s revival, the 11pm licence would be acceptable when properly managed and as neighbours they wish to enjoy a positive relationship with the venue.
The complainant expressed that the proposed 2am closing times would be harmful to the entire area, noting that the morning aftermath would be felt by local residents and visitors alike.
The council’s planning committee is scheduled to gather at Hove Town Hall at 2pm on Wednesday, April 1. The session is arranged to be broadcast online.