A planning application for developing a former rental garage next to a well known music venue and pub in Brighton has been refused by a unanimous vote. An application for a building including holiday lets was previously turned down. This submission was for a four storey office block. The applicants’ agent, told the Brighton and Hove City Council planning committee his client had responded to concerns about noise by removing holiday lets from the plans to make the building a solely commercial site. He said:
“From the outset the applicant has recognised the social and cultural importance of the Prince Albert pub and has been rooted to ensuring its longevity and continued operation in accordance with the ‘agent of change’ principle which is why no residential units are proposed. A noise assessment was carried out early in the process with a six-day sample period including weekends to ensure accurate and loudest noise levels were captured and accounted for in the study.” The council’s environmental health department said the Prince Albert was not currently considered a noise nuisance and would not be considered a noise nuisance if someone new moved in. However, councillors were told that even if a planning condition restricted future occupants’ ability to complain about noise, it would be hard to enforce. Over 1200 objections were submitted to the plans on the council’s website, a petition opposing the plans had 18,000 signatures by the time the committee met on November 1st, and local celebrity Fat Boy Slim played a surprise gig at the venue to show his support.
