Brighton College is applying for permission for an astroturf pitch first installed about 25 years ago.
The exclusive school has submitted a retrospective application for the artificially covered pitch and cricket nets.
It includes Google Earth images, sworn affidavits from the groundsperson and director of rugby, quotes from a contractor from when the surface was replaced in 2009, and a local news report from 2001 referencing the relocation of cricket nets and netball courts to their current location.
A prospectus from 1984 showing tennis courts in that location – on the corner of College Terrace and Walpole Terrace – is also included.
The application, written by Lichfields, says: “The existing use of this part of the college as a sports practice area has been established for approximately 40 years.
“As such, the erection of the existing artificial surface had no impact on the amenity of neighbours compared to the previous situation.
“The use has not changed and forms part of usual school activity.
“The college has a protocol in place for the staff members to monitor the use of the sports facilities throughout the day and evening to reduce noise impacts to neighbours.
“Pupils are also asked to be respectful of noise levels when playing sport in this area of the college.
“The retrospective proposal for a replacement multi-sport surface has caused no change to noise levels.”
The boarding school has faced resistance from neighbours over its most recent plans to redevelop its Eastern Road campus.
Earlier this year, it lost a planning appeal against the refusal of another retrospective planning application to knock through three family homes and turn them into a 27-pupil boarding house.
A few months later, in July, it was granted permission by Brighton and Hove City Council’s planning committee to build new classrooms on the site of the former St Mary’s Hall, and convert its existing prep school into boarding houses for 150 pupils.
Another retrospective application?
One is one too many and this just looks like carelessness.
But no doubt it will be approved as it’s not a change of use and arguably an improvement,
But someone needs to do a complete audit of all the previous applications made and cross check them to actual site and buildings to see what else they have done without the requisite permissions.
Hmm, I wonder what the strategic approach is here? Preparation for a continuation of the steady eastward densification of Kemptown Campus at the detriment of residents?
Something odd here. If it has been going on for more than 10years it is immune from enforcement, and they are entitled to a Certificate of Lawful Use, which is as good as planning permission.. They don’t need to ask for permission.
I was thinking the same thing. Perhaps they wish to bank it as an “easy win” to use as pressure for further overdevelopments in Kemptown? We’ll find out soon enough, I suppose.