Heritage groups criticise £65m leisure centre plans
Local Democracy Reporting ServiceConservation groups have criticised the design of a proposed £65m swimming pool and leisure centre in East Sussex.
Brighton & Hove City Council's Conservation Advisory Group (CAG) said the designs for King Alfred Leisure Centre in Hove were "architecturally unambitious" and looked more like a shopping centre.
Both the Regency Society and Hove Civic Society have also criticised the design.
However, planning officials have given the scheme their backing, with the council receiving 49 letters of support for the project.
CAG said: "The proposal fails to realise the exceptional architectural opportunity presented by this landmark seafront site and would cause harm to the character and appearance of adjoining conservation areas."
'Little imagination'
In the report to the planning committee, the council's heritage team said that the scheme would result in "less than substantial harm" to the neighbouring Pembroke & Princes and Old Hove conservation areas.
However, the Regency Society said the proposed exterior showed "little imagination", according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.
"Just a collection of boxes with a motley collage of façade elements in, it appears, an attempt to meet an interpretation of the City Plan," a spokesperson said.
"The end result might easily be mistaken for a shopping centre."
The Hove Civic Society said: "The city deserves not only a modern, functional and effective new leisure centre on this site, but also one with an external appearance that impresses all who see it and that expresses civic pride and confidence in the city."
The council's planning committee is to meet at Hove Town Hall on Wednesday.