Rockwater extension approved

Councillors went against advice and granted planning permission for a seafront venue’s roof extension.

Rockwater’s owner Luke Davis can now add a glazed first-floor extension, along with a lower-ground floor pergola and fire pit area to the Hove venue.

Brighton and Hove City Council planning officers recommended the application was refused as the building would be too prominent and would contrast starkly with neighbouring buildings in the Sackville Gardens Conservation area.

Planning consultant Ian Coomber spoke on behalf of Walsingham Road Residents Association who were against the plans due to concerns about noise and people leaving the venue in the early hours of the morning, as it has a licence to open until 3am.

Rockwater’s operations director Lee Wilson explained the venue would not open until 3am seven days a week, but the late licence is an option for special events.

Westbourne ward’s Labour councillors Carmen Appich and Chris Henry spoke in support of the scheme which had 588 letters of support.

Independent councillor Tony Janio said it was interesting officers opposed the scheme because of the quality of the architectural value whereas the residents objected because of noise concerns.

He said: “If you were going to stick this in Pavilion Gardens I think it would drag the architectural average value down.

“But sticking it along Hove seafront – has anyone driven or cycled as I do along Hove seafront? If you’re heading towards the west and look to the buildings, they’re not exactly architectural splendour. I think the architectural reasons are a nonsense.”

Conservative councillor Joe Miller said the scheme’s level of support was “unprecedented” and praised Mr Davis’s public relations campaign.

He said: “I went to the place before and it was filthy, and the service was terrible.

“It has got so much potential, and it’s putting that part of Hove seafront on the map.”

Councillor Miller said the committee should approve the scheme for the social and economic benefits it offers to Hove.

Labour councillor Daniel Yates seconded Councillor Miller and said he remembered the venue as the Babylon Lounge, describing it as one of the seafront’s ugliest buildings.

He said: “The transformation of the site over the last year to 18 months has been considerable.

“It is certainly much more attractive than it was. Clearly, the consideration we have to give is the impact of further transformation.”