Eighteen neighbours have objected to a planning application to turn a family home into a short-term holiday let in Brighton.
The plans were submitted by the Star Property Group which, through its subsidiary Star Camelford Limited, has operated a holiday let at 29 Camelford Street, Brighton, since 2017.
The Hove company, run by Benjamin Keith, 43, has applied to Brighton and Hove City Council for a retrospective “change of use” from “dwelling house” to short-term holiday let.
Star Property said that the change of use was “fully justified” because it provided a “much-needed local community service”.
The company said that the four-bedroom house was next to a pub which meant that it was not an “ideal location” for a family home.
It also said that tourism accounted for 14 per cent of all jobs in Brighton and Hove – and a holiday let in Kemp Town would benefit the sector.
The company said: “As a tourist destination, the city cannot grow without well-located holiday let accommodation.
“It is not unusual for the city’s hotels to be full and to turn business away at weekends and during the peak holiday season and also during peak conference months.
“New contemporary hotel/holiday lets attract new tourist markets to the city as identified in the council’s Visitor Economy Strategy 2018-23.
“The Brighton and Hove Visitor Accommodation Study Update 2018 also emphasises the need to attract hotel products and brands to Brighton that will help to attract new markets to the city and strengthen its competitive position as a business and leisure tourism destination.
“Hotels, holiday lets, budget boutique hotels and aparthotels all provide a required mix to attract the pre-family couples, business traveller and leisure guests to our brilliant city.”
But neighbours have objected to the plans citing noise and anti-social behaviour at what they described as a “party house” used extensively by stags and hens.
One objector, whose details were redacted by the council, said: “Camelford Street already has about 12 Airbnbs. Do all of them have permission to operate as such?
“As residents, we feel that we have been held hostage within our own homes by the users of these houses who have been making our lives a misery while generating profit for people and companies who have no stake in our community.
“We are subjected to unacceptable levels of noise at all hours of day and night – and those of us who have small spaces at the back of our houses can be overlooked by partying guests, meaning that we can’t even enjoy our own private space.”
Another objector, whose details were also redacted by the council, said: “The residents on the street are increasingly tired of the relentless conversion of our mini-community into a party street.
“I think the numbers indicate that about a third of the houses are already short-term lets.
“Currently, we have a great community of residents in the street and we love Brighton and want to share it with visitors but we are very unhappy about the incremental loss of our community.
“We are already blighted by noise of various sorts from these houses, ranging from loud arguing and music to screaming and singing outside as the occupants make their way home at all hours.”
To see or comment on the application, visit the planning portal on the council’s website and search for BH2023/01162.
I am amused by the notion that another holiday home offers anything whatsoever to the local community.
Having lived near one of these unregulated party premises for some years I can attest they are nothing but a pain and offer no amenity to neighbours at all.
People read this on the owner?
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/racing/article-11841747/Ben-Keith-bookie-lost-2m-Cheltenham-year-didnt-watch-race.html
why are these out of towners able to take away what could be a family home or a home for professionals / key workers. Ben Keith The Top End Bookie clearly has form…
TAX THE MEGA HOSTs
There are plenty of similar homes professionals and key workers can buy on rightmove. I’m not sure if many would want to live in this location though. Hanover is better location if you want quiet residential.
Let’s not pretend that Star Property could care less about the local community or the Brighton tourism industry. The only reason they are operating this property as a short term let is that it’s more profitable for them than a regualr residential let.
Perhaps if Mr Keith is so keen to help the community through the creation of party houses, he’d consider having one either side of his home.
There are a ton of metrics that explain why additional holiday homes are to the detriment of Brighton. Lack of social housing, schools unable to fill seats, high rents in the private sector, and an overwhelming number of holiday lets already available with plenty unrecorded in the city.
For me, it is an easy argument to say no to.
These properties were never likely candidates for social housing. Even 100 years ago. The council could simply not afford to compete with private buyers for them and there are cheaper areas to build or buy this. The lack of rental property and high rental prices has been driven by all the rental reform laws that are coming in that campaign groups have been fighting for. They assumed that if you beat up landlords they would just carry on renting to you and now all their properties are being put up for sale. This will mean fewer poor people in the city as only those that can afford to buy will be able to live here. Those landlords that do continue will able to have higher rents and they will be very fussy about the kind of tenant they rent to.