A lifesize fibreglass statue of a great white shark has fallen foul of the council’s planning department.
The 9.5m high sculpture was installed as part of the Jungle Rumble crazy golf course on Madeira Drive in December – without planning permission.
Now Jungle Rumble has applied for permission to keep it, after Brighton and Hove City Council got in touch.
It is also asking for permission for a pergola it’s put up over its rooftop terrace, and a staircase down to the Peter Pan’s playground next door.
The application says: “No existing building, historic structure or landscape feature was removed or altered to accommodate the shark.
“The shark is located within an established adventure golf course rather than as an isolated object on an otherwise undeveloped part of the beach.
“Its appearance is overtly theatrical. The painted moulded shark, timber gallows frame and rope detailing are immediately understood as part of a themed leisure attraction rather than as conventional architectural development.
From Madeira Terrace the shark is visible as an object within the recreational landscape below. However, the character of this lower seafront has long included seaside recreation, amusement and visitor attractions.
“The installation is therefore considered to be visually distinctive without undermining the ability to appreciate the architectural, engineering or historic significance of Madeira Terrace or the wider Conservation Area.
“Its conspicuousness is understood as part of the established leisure use rather than as competing historic architecture.”
It says Jungle Rumble was given permission to extend its roof terrace in 2021, and the plans included retractable shelters.
It concede the pergola has been built as a permanent strcuture, but says it doesn’t cause any harm to the heritage assets of the area.
And it says the staircase and toilet block are small additions to the existing modern building and also cause no harm to the surrounding area.
