Despite the society and many others letters to the Government Office of the South East requesting that this application should be called in for determination by the Secretary of State it was decided not to agree to a call-in and therefore planning approval to the core areas of the development is granted subject to the satisfactory conclusion of the Section 106 agreement covering a range of issues. We shall keep watch for the details of the reserved matters affecting the remainder of the site, for which only outline approval has been granted. At present, the information about these buildings is only in the barest outline and so there may be room for some improvements to be made as the details emerge. Altogether, it is not a very satisfactory way for the urban design of this huge, and hugely important site, to proceed.

This was the Society's view, expressed when overall planning permission was granted. In 2005 things have moved on, with site clearance and preliminary works well in hand. More details may be seen on the developer's website. Recently, part of the hotel site was sold to the Beetham Group, who have since applied for detailed planning permission (BH2005/00136/FP).

Mixed-use development incorporating a public square; a 42 storey northern building comprising 146 residential units (class C3) and a hotel and ancillary facilities including restaurant, cafes, conference facilities and health and fitness centre (class C1); a 6 storey southern building comprising retail (class A1) and café (class A3) uses and 25 residential units (class C3), the enhancement of a site of nature conservation interest; provision of a station link; and associated landscaping and conservation features, servicing, access and parking and that the application is accompanied by an environmental statement.

While the Society welcomes new design of quality that improves and benefits the city, it does not believe that this is a suitable location for a 42 storey building, and stated its views as follows:

We note that the above application for Full Planning approval is for an hotel and residential accommodation, including a 42 storey tower block, on the above site. The proposal is also integral to the plans already approved, incorporating the station car park, and the large area towards St. Bartholomew's Church and London Road (generally referred to as the 'Brighton station site').

Our concern is entirely with the tower block proposal, rather than with the lower hotel and residential blocks of a similar height, to which we do not object.

When the original station site proposals were considered by the various council committees, sub-committees, and advisory bodies, there was great concern that existing structures such as Brighton Station, St Bartholomew's, and neighbouring Conservation Areas. would not be compromised. The new tower block proposals completely negates those very properly adopted concerns. The tower block proposed would neither enhance nor preserve its immediate locale and, in a wider context, would detract from the long distance views of the city.

The Society believes that no case can be made for the merits of this tower either from an aesthetic or environmental perspective, and would do immeasurable harm to the architectural integrity of Brighton and Hove.

We shall keep members informed.

This application was refused on April 27 2005 (for 20 reasons).
Read more here: This is the Council's Application Number : BH2005/00136/FP
MAY 16 2007
The appeal aginst the above decision has been dismissed.

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