Planners turn down tower blocks opposite Preston Park in Brighton

Planners have turned down a proposal to build 231 flats in a massive building opposite Preston Park in Brighton.

Five members of Brighton and Hove City Council Planning Committee voted against the scheme which involves demolishing Anston House. Four members voted in favour and three abstained.

The decision was made at a packed meeting at Hove Town Hall this afternoon (Wednesday 24 April).

The reasons included the height and scale of the proposed building which would be up to 15 storeys high.

Councillors said that they were concerned about the proposed flats overlooking properties in Dyke Road Drive.

They said that the new block would be too near the road and would lead to the loss of three mature trees. It also contained too few affordable homes.

But those in favour said that the scheme would bring much-needed housing, modern offices and more than 150 jobs.