Hundreds of people have objected to plans for a 20-storey block of flats on the A259 seafront road in Hove.
A community leader likened the £76 million scheme to the set from a “Godzilla” film while a civic society called it “massively aggressive”.
The tower block is one of three high-rise buildings forming part of a project to build commercial premises and 135 flats known as Aldrington Wharf.
A company called Synergy Developments has applied for planning permission to build the scheme between the A259 Kingsway and Basin Road North, at the eastern end of Shoreham Harbour.
The tallest building – at more than 74 metres or 240ft – would be 20 storeys high while two other 10-storey towers would be 44 metres or 145ft high.
In about two months almost 400 people have sent their objections to Brighton and Hove City Council, as has the Kingsway and West Hove Residents’ Association (KAWHRA).
The residents’ association organised a meeting this month and more than 100 people turned for the question and answer session with Synergy’s managing director Martin Knott.
KAWHRA chairman Peter Reeves said that the answers did not address people’s concerns, adding: “This proposal is unheralded, unexpected and unwelcome.
“The alien presence of a looming cage-topped shadow-casting skyscraper amid a near-continuous and oversized block of incongruously designed flats would better suit the set of a Godzilla movie.”
The association produced a list containing 58 reasons to object to the scheme which it said would do “serious harm” to the area of 1920s detached and semi-detached houses along tree-lined streets.
Concerns included loss of daylight, more pressure on parking places and increased traffic in Basin Road North.
KAWHRA also said that the plans included no affordable housing, making the flats more likely to be used as second homes and holiday lets rather than as homes for locals and first-time buyers.
Mr Knott said: “We try to be open about the process we’re required to follow. We can’t please everyone.
“We’ve tried to accommodate comments and have modified the design as much as we can. What we’ve put forward, one person will like and one person won’t.”
I actually am all in favour of more towers in the city as it’s what’s needed to make public transport more cost effective, however this development…
Whats with the ugly metal boxes on the roof, it actually wouldn’t have looked that bad if it wasn’t for that.
As for people moaning about sun light on the garden, poor argument as it will probably only affect about 15 properties, the developer can easily mitigate that with a cash payout.
There is no reason however to have zero affordable housing, that is a little bit bewildering considering.
How DARE such revolting nonsense even seethe light of day. Were the architect & developers watching futuristic horror movies or messing with hallucinogenic drugs to actually draw that? Had to be right out of it….
B&H looks more like Croydon every day….
Doesn’t matter how many complain about these blocks the council and government will simply ignore them They are determined to turn Brighton into London by the sea And all the idiots saying it will help improve public transport are living in dream land
Well, whoever ends up living there; I wish them luck in getting their bins emptied…
Another block for second homes and holiday lets. Just what the city needs.
More luxury apartments no doubt. Where the so-called kitchen is a sink unit in the corner of the lounge.