Hotel proposal for Queen Square ice rink site has been withdrawn

 

The difficulty of finding an economically viable use for redundant sites in the historic context of Brighton and Hove has been demonstrated by the withdrawal of a proposal for a hotel to replace the disused ice rink in Queen Square, which attracted considerable criticism.

Conran and Partners, working for Light ApartHotel, had been working on the design for a new hotel in the key site currently occupied by the disused ice rink and met representatives of the Regency Society last summer to discuss issues such as overshadowing of the neighbouring St Nicholas' churchyard and the Grade II listed Wykeham Terrace.

At the end of 2011, they submitted a planning application that included a hotel, flats, a restaurant and café to Brighton & Hove City Council and, despite acknowledging the need for a high quality redevelopment of the site, the Society was among objectors.

"We do appreciate the dificulties of working within the historic context of the city and the need for developers and architects to come up with an economically viable development but this proposal was intrusive for its neighbours," says Society chair Mary McKean.

Adverse effects

Our comment read: “The Regency Society supports the principle of redeveloping the ice rink site, which is currently an eyesore, and believes it is important to achieve a high quality redevelopment.

“Nonetheless, the Society objects to the current application because the proposed building would be too tall, it would have a serious adverse effect on the historic listed properties in Wykeham Terrace, and the proposed roof terraces would be likely to lead to overlooking and noise nuisance to the detriment of its residents. It would also significantly overshadow the south end of St Nicholas churchyard. 

“Furthermore, in the event that an application is approved for redevelopment of the site, the Society requests that section 106 contributions are secured to improve the churchyard with suitable lighting and additional tree planting.”

To view the application, please go to the Brighton & Hove City Council website, and click agree.


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The Queen Square ice rink today - an eyesore.

The front elevation of the propsed Conran design, significantly higher than the buildings to the right.

Looking down from the north onto the propsed development. Note the stepped terraces to the right, which would directly overlook and dominate Wykeham Place.