We are deeply concerned that planning permission for the new King Alfred Leisure Centre is being sought separately from the 400–700-unit high-rise housing scheme proposed for the same site.

This risks “salami slicing” – hiding the true scale of the development, bypassing meaningful public consultation, and avoiding proper assessment of cumulative impacts.

Separating the projects means we cannot fully understand:

Visual impact: towers could dominate our historic seafront.

Wind tunnel effects: high-rises can create downdraughts, making promenades unpleasant or unsafe.

Loss of character: a wall of buildings could overshadow Hove’s historic seafront, with its Victorian terraces and late-Regency character.

Infrastructure strain: roads, parking, drainage, schools and health services are already stretched.

Permanent loss of amenity: once seafront space is built over, it cannot be recovered.

And all of this risks reducing the very sports and community facilities the project is supposed to improve, including:

Brighton & Hove Amateur Boxing Club: part of the site for 80 years.

Fitlab (formerly Cheetahs Gym): serving the community for 50 years.
Children’s play area on the east side.

Other independent and community activities within the leisure centre footprint – some already abandoned due to previous failed schemes.

It has already been noted that the two currently available sports halls have been reduced to one in the new plan for starters.

We call on Brighton & Hove City Council to:

Consider all linked elements of the King Alfred redevelopment – leisure centre and housing – together in a single, transparent process, with full public consultation and cumulative environmental assessment, as required by planning law.

Failure to do so risks the process being considered unlawful.

Sign this petition if you agree that we must see the whole picture  before decisions are made.

No more salami-slicing our seafront.

King Alfred Community Leisure Hub: Save & Expand
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