Plans to convert a toilet block into a café and sports office are recommended for approval when they go before councillors next week.
Yellowave has applied for planning permission to convert an old bowls pavilion into a café with toilets at Hove Beach Park, in Western Esplanade, Hove.
The application – for the new sand sports area at Hove Beach Park – is due to go before Brighton and Hove City Council’s Planning Committee next Wednesday (5 March).
The toilet block is a locally listed art deco bowls pavilion built in the 1920s for the Kingsway Bowls Club.
Council heritage officers have not objected to the application and described it as providing benefits to the area.
The proposed work includes demolishing a detached accessible toilet.
Yellowave, which already operates on the beach in Kemp Town, said: “Yellowave is rooted in their passion for providing healthy, inclusive sports for the community all year around, for as many people as possible.
“The business model is structured to support this and so is the venue design.
“Rather than a simple pay-to-play business model that can leave seafront sports venues bleak and empty through much of the year, Yellowave ensures year-round community participation for families, schools and athletes alike.”
There are 111 supporting comments with people highlighting the poor condition of the toilets, praising the new sports facilities and praising the general improvement to the wider area.
One anonymous supporter, whose details were redacted by the council, said: “Yellowave have been instrumental in successfully rejuvenating Brighton’s eastern beach front. They have become part of the fabric of Brighton.
“It is through organisations like them that significant communities are created and individuals in the city flourish. The opportunity to extend that westward to Hove should not be overlooked.”
Another anonymous supporter, whose details were also redacted, said: “Having a beach sports facility would be yet another fabulous addition to Hove Beach Park.
“The skate park and padel courts have already started to create a fabulous community feel along the seafront – something this facility would only add to.”
Ninety-one people objected to the application, raising several concerns including a proposed fence, over-commercialisation of the building and the construction of the storage building.
One anonymous objector, whose details were redacted by the council, said: “I strongly object to the proposed fencing of the public space solely for what appears to be commercial gain.
“This area has long been an established public right of way and the denial of access through high fencing is unacceptable.
“This well-used public space is vital to our community and its accessibility must be preserved.”
Another anonymous objector said: “There has been over-development is this area over the last two years – and I clearly object to any further over-development.
“The beauty of Hove croquet and the symbolic toilets should not be spoilt. Why can’t we keep with some traditional, holistic cultural integrity?”
The council’s Planning Committee is due to meet at Hove Town Hall at 2pm next Wednesday (5 March). The meeting is scheduled to be webcast on the council’s website.
Why not give us what is needed;- decent public toilets free to access?
There are brand new public toilets about to open, in the new Bowling club, nearby.
Here here. Sick to death of needing the (disabled) toilet somewhere only to find a notice, eg Wish Park only to find a notice saying ‘closed’ and that the nearest is at the lagoon! Great if you walk badly or are in a wheelchair. There used to be many wc’s in Brighton & Hove- why have they gone?
I very strongly object to high fencing around the beach volleyball area. The white fencing used for the tennis and paddle tennis courts looking very unattractive and will rust very quickly with the sea air it would have been slightly better a green colour. As this area has always been a public right of way I can’t see that the fencing should be allowed. We have beautiful green bowling and croquet lawns and new planting and to spoil Hove front with white high fencing would be highly offensive.
Something being “highly offensive” isn’t a legitimate objection though. A valid, if not histrionic, opinion certainly. Aesethics is easily maintained with some rust-resistant paint, so it’s a weak argument. The improvements—refurbishing existing facilities and adding versatile sports features—are proportionate to its usage and location, making the criticism of overdevelopment less compelling when weighed against the benefits it offers to the community.
I see this easily being approved on balance.
There are toilet facilities. Yellowave has been hugely beneficial to many, schools, clubs and individuals both young and old.
Health, community, fun, maybe visit Yellowave, try some volleyball, have something to eat and drink or have a go at some indoor classes. Change can be fun.
Ignore the objections, fencing is needed to protect the facilities from people who do not love the area, (to put it as politely as I can, so as not to ruffle too many feathers). Let’s hope these new facilities remain in tip top condition.
I’m looking forward to Yellowave bringing their sand sports expertise to the area, plus their Kemp Town site cafe is known for serving healthy food, so it’s not another seafront burger and chips joint.
It’s also great that the listed 1930s toilet block will be repurposed as a cafe.
Obviously you need a fence around volleyball courts, but the Yellowave fence is in fact lower than the ones used for the tennis courts.
The cafe area is also designed to be family-friendly and safe for small children – and obviously the teaching areas get fenced because of safeguarding, plus you have to keep animals out of the site overnight, so they don’t use the sand as a litter tray.
I live almost opposite, and I support these plans.
It’s curious how, as the population increases and we seek more tourist patronage to our seaside city, we provide less public facilities. People need to pee. It is already easier to get a coffee than go to the toilet down there. Why can’t we just repair and reopen?
I can’t understand some of the comments here.
If you used the area you would know that brand new toilets have been built within yards of this old and derelict block.
And that is why the 1930s block is being renovated and repurposed as a sands sports hub and cafe.
Under the proposed plans, that cafe will also have new toilets.
I think it is reflective of typical sensationalism, and superficial understanding of a topic. Was reading into the plans and the rationale, and I found myself agreeing with a lot of the all-year usage model. It is very much a good development for Brighton and its residents.
Leave them alone.
They are needed as public toilets.
Our public WC provision is terrible compared to other seaside resorts.
Please keep up with what is happening with the Hove Beach Park development – which has several new toilets, including a new set of pristine public toilets to replace this derelict block.
Other public loos along the seafront have also been refurbished in the last year.
You will be pleased to know that new toilets are being built nearby and this building will have toilets in it as well. I expect that satisfies your concern.
Some people will object to anything that involves change