A Hove martial arts gym can open at 7am after councillors approved its application without debate.
Sixteen people objected to the application from Kickboxfit (KBF) Martial Arts Academy, in Hallyburton Road, raising concerns about traffic, noise and parking.
But when none spoke at yesterday’s Planning Committee meeting, the gym was granted planning permission to open from 7am to 9pm on week days – an extra hour in the mornings – and from 8am to 5pm on Saturdays and Sundays.
The business, on the corner of Dorothy Road, previously had permission to open from 8am to 9pm from Monday to Friday and from 9am to 3pm on Saturdays.
The site was formerly a lawn mower and garden machinery sales and servicing business which closed in 2023.
In the application, KBF co-owner Mark Howell said that demand for training had grown and national-level competitors using the academy needed more training time.
He said that the extra hours would allow the club to spread more classes evenly throughout the day.
The committee was advised to grant planning permission for the extended opening times.
As none of the objectors were present to address the committee and councillors had no questions about the application, it was approved without debate.
None of the objectors (me included) were invited to address the committee! Brighton and Hove Council have not followed due process and have completely ignored concerns of local residents. The increase of traffic, noise and pollution for extended hours, 7 days a week is unacceptable. If KBF want to open 7 days a week they should find a location in a non residential area.
As far as I can see you have to register. Just because you may have made an objection it doesn’t mean you are automatically invited to share the limited time available.
fhttps://democracy.brighton-hove.gov.uk/mgCommitteeDetails.aspx?ID=118
I worked at the lawnmower company before they moved to Smalldole. The noise from that company was terrible, running up machines on a regular basis, from 8am until 5pm Monday to Friday and Saturday mornings in the summer months. We got numerous complaints about the level of noise. Personally I think the noise from the previous company would be far more excessive than a kickboxing gym
I have to ask, who wants a lawnmower at 8am?!
Boxing club can hardly have much of a Noise issue to make.
Those Streets are full due to People that park there allday and catch a train or bus to work.
Can hardly see why it would harm the Neightbourhood being open at 7am for Customers to do 1/2 hours of pure exercise being a Problem.
Think of all the Fit Ladies and Gentlemen thst will come out f there.