Plan to build eight-storey block on historic Hove seafront site rejected

A developer has been refused permission to demolish a Victorian bath-house on Hove seafront and build an eight-storey block of flats in its place.

Sirus Taghan, of Globe Homes, in Morley Street, Brighton, has applied to knock down the historic Medina House building, in King’s Esplanade, a number of times and replace it.

He made his latest application in October and was told on Friday (3 January) that the scheme was unacceptable.

Brighton and Hove City Council said: “The development would appear excessively out of scale and create a visually overbearing relationship with adjoining development to the north in Sussex Road and Victoria Cottages.

Medina House

“This relationship would fail to preserve or enhance the character or appearance of the Cliftonville Conservation Area.

“The proposed development by reason of its height and scale would lead to a significant overbearing effect and increased sense of enclosure to neighbouring properties to the detriment of their living conditions.

“The existing building makes a positive contribution to the character and appearance of the Cliftonville Conservation Area.

“It has not been demonstrated that the building is beyond economic repair (through no fault of the owner/applicant) and that there are no viable alternative uses for the building.

“The applicant has failed to present a scheme which in design and streetscape terms justifies the principle of the loss of the existing building, which is a non-designated heritage asset of special significance to the local community due to its architectural and historic interest.

“The proposed replacement building does not make a positive contribution to the character and local distinctiveness of the historic environment.”

Mr Taghan hoped to build eight flats with two, three and four bedrooms and a basement car port on the site next to Marrocco’s restaurant and ice cream parlour.