A proposed 25-metre swimming pool on Brighton beach was refused planning permission this afternoon (Wednesday 5 December).
Councillors raised concerns about the design of the buildings, the bright colour scheme and the whole project’s impact on the area’s heritage and ecology.
Plans for the Sea Lanes pool, on the derelict Peter Pan’s Playground site, were thrown out by Brighton and Hove City Council’s Planning Committee.
Members voted seven to four against the scheme in a meeting at Hove Town Hall.
The pool was described as a sporting facility to help people train for triathlons and open water swimming rather than a family pool.
This gave rise to a key concern that the pool would cater for only seven swimmers an hour.
Councillors were also concerned about the movable, brightly coloured buildings, up to three storeys high, intended to provide office space, food, drink and shopping.
Conservative councillor Lynda Hyde said: “This application is all about developing retail and office space on our seafront, with a swimming pool thrown in to entice the council.
“The swimming pool was originally 50 metres and it has shrunk before touching any water.”
People and organisations opposing to the scheme objected to the yellow, turquoise and red PVC-wrapped modular buildings and said that they were out of keeping with the nearby Kingscliffe Conservation area.
Councillors were shown images of railings, statues and bouys from around the area, providing inspiration for the wraps.
Green councillor Phélim Mac Cafferty, a former chairman of the Planning Committee, said that the proposed colours and materials were not just out of keeping but went against the advice of official planning experts.
He cited Historic England’s comments, saying that he had never seen the organisation speak so strongly against a project.
Historic England urged caution on the temporary nature of the scheme so close to the grade II listed Madeira Terraces.
Green councillor Leo Littman said: “The idea of destroying a permanent habitat to put up a temporary pool is ludicrous.
“Part of our job is as custodians of the city and this runs roughshod over that.
“I am more concerned about putting a pool south of the Volk’s Railway on the shingle becoming a fait accompli come 2025.”
East Brighton Labour councillor Warren Morgan, the former leader of the council, spoke in favour of the scheme which is in his ward.
He said: “It is really important that we look at bringing activity to the area.
“It is probably not the scheme I want but on balance it is better to do than not.”
Councillors Morgan, Julie Cattell, Clare Moonan and Carol Theobald voted in favour of the pool with Councillors Hyde, Littman, Mac Cafferty, Jackie O’Quinn, Joe Miller, Penny Gilbey and Jayne Bennett against.
Hyde, Littman, Mac Cafferty, O’Quinn, Miller, Gilbey and Bennett – are examples of the myopic, petty minded, driveling councillors that retard to development of this city. The city is suffering shameful neglect and this lot are happy to sit back an watch is happen. We deserve so much better than the this Planning Committee.
So sad when what is supposed to be a vibrant seaside city is dragging behind places like Lewes. They have a wonderful outdoor pool which is well used every time it’s open. Many other major towns and cities have great outdoor pools and then we have Brighton. Absolutely nothing for teenagers to do except hang around street corners. Come on councillors think about the people who are paying your wages and give us what we ask for. Those of us who were children in the 50/60s remember spending all our spare time in Black Rock outdoor pool. What will today’s children look back on other than constant roadworks and ugly buildings being built. You have let your citizens down very badly again. An absolute joke.
This and previous planning committees should be put in prison for what they’ve done to Brighton – approved traffic schemes/alterations in Lewes/London Road that have increased congestion, pollution and are dangerous to cross – allowed the Lewes Road corridor to become a seedy student wasteland – are about to change the seafront roundabout into a T junction adding to congestion and danger.
This pool and development would have breathed life into a dead area when the sun isn’t shining and perhaps only needed modifying.
Saltdean lido is a bigger outdoor pool suitable for training and could open for a longer season if supported by the club swimmers year round. It’s also open for a Christmas day swim this year.