Brighton and Hove Albion’s plans for a fan zone have been given the green light by councillors.
The application received unanimous backing when it went before Brighton and Hove City Council’s Planning Committee yesterday afternoon (Wednesday 6 March).
The plans include a two-storey event space, with a mezzanine floor, serving food and drink, with more space for shops, toilets and storage.
The new building would replace the existing kiosks close to the railway line at the American Express Community Stadium, in Falmer.
One objector was concerned about more fans coming to the site and Brighton and Hove Independent councillor Mark Earthey asked about this.
He was told that the fan zone would not bring more people but would attract only those attending matches – not people without tickets.
The zone would be used to screen matches and for other events, as the stadium is now.
Labour councillor Julie Cattell asked about a proposed green wall, asking for more than a few wires and twigs, and was told that this would be covered by a planning condition.
Fellow Labour councillor Jacob Allen said: “It’s increasingly an element incorporated in (stadium) design – how fans can spend time before and after matches that isn’t just piling on trains and into local pubs.
“There’s one in Falmer village that gets quite busy only during match days.”
Student housing just east of the stadium could be affected by noise, the committee was told, with the nearest homes, the Alumno Falmer building, close to the station.
But Councillor Allen said that the students were living between the railway line and a dual carriageway road and next to a football stadium.
It was doubtful that they would worry about noise from the proposed fan zone, he added.
His Labour colleague, Councillor Paul Nann, who works at Sussex University, said that students would not complain about the noise.
The meeting was told that Dick’s Bar was expected to remain open as a pre-turnstile bar in the short term before being incorporated into the new fan zone.
Is it correct to assume all councillors sitting on Bright on and Hove City Council’s Planning commitee have absolutely no qualifications to prove their merit to sit and decide what and where anything can be built in the city? If correct, then it answers why such inane questions are asked. I would have hoped intelligence might have raised its head rather than enquiring if a few shrubs will be planted, and how is a Sussex University worker/councillor have the temerity to decide such important schemes. No wonder the town council are nearing bankruptcy with these unqualified brains sitting in judgement. Are these the same political party/councillors who rubber stamped that 360i tower on the seafront? I end my argument.
Hi David, I’m the Sussex University worker on the committee. There’s a massive amount of experience on the committee and though not planner I’ve worked in housing for over 20 years. We are also at least two, that I’m aware of, top notch planning professionals who are committee members. When I started on the committee I, like you, was amazed I was allowed to interfere with the work of the professionals. But they explained to me that democratic input an essential part of the process. If it comforts you I can assure you we are probably controlled and advised by legal professionals, planning professionals and legislation. It’s not a perfect system by any means but it is fair, transparent and most importantly we are accountable.
Thank you Paul for being brave enough to come back at me. I assumed you had some sort of experience but even you must admit, working in ‘housing’ for twenty years is a far cry when dealing with a metropolis the size of Brighton and Hove… no offence. My argument is, if there are at least two planning professionals on the committee, then I suggest new blood is essential, as their past efforts have been abysmal, to say the least. I will mention the disasters, too many, but the cancer of terrible planning decisions started with the first Churchill Square and have continued to the present day. Brighton Centre, i360 Tower… need I go on, because there are plenty. Sorry Paul. I appreciate you are trying your best, but you must see my point.
A great addition to a superb stadium
This new structure will make a huge difference to the overall experience of a match at the Amex. Not sure if it will be open to all fans from both clubs but except for the obvious club it’s a good idea to mingle and leave the rivalry behind until the whistle goes to start the match
Another plasticy-looking piece of garbage on the protected Downs. What is wrong with our Councillors? Not even a grass roof as a nod to Sustainability.
It’s hardly on the “protected downs”. It on an already concreted piece of land next to a railway and a dual carriageway- and an existing football stadium that adds a huge amount to the local economy!
Does your house have a grass roof? Just asking.
Councillors can only consider the designs put in front of them.
They can’t reject an application just because they’d prefer something else. They MUST work within planning policy and planing law and consider whether the application complies.
If you don’t like the design then that’s down to B&H Albion for submitting this design and nice something “Barry Approved”
Did you submit an objection to the application? Suggest there should be a green roof?