Nine flats planned for roof of old Hove perfume factory

Plans to build nine flats on top of a former perfume factory in Hove have been criticised.

The proposal would add an extra floor to the Dubarry building, in Fonthill Road, and behind Newtown Road, alongside Hove Station.

A website www.dubarrybuilding.co.uk set up to discuss the plans said: “On Saturday 5 July, the residents who live near by the Dubarry Perfumery Building (mainly Newtown Road) received a letter from Brighton and Hove City Council informing them that the owners of the Dubarry Building, a London-based commercial property company called Pearl & Coutts, had submitted plans to build nine flats on top of the building and create an extra floor.

“The proposal is for one three-bedroom flat, four two-bedroom flats and four one-bedroom flats.”

It is intended to be a car-free development.

The website also reported that a public meeting was held at the Station pub on Saturday (12 July).

It said: “A very well attended meeting took place where many local residents discussed the proposals and what it meant to them and their homes.

“We discussed our objections and how we would co-ordinate action against the development plans.”

One of the leading campaigners Rob Miller against the scheme said that it was an iconic building.

He said that the plans would ruin the building and gave rise to concerns about loss of light and privacy.

He urged people to object on the council’s website. To see the details, click here. The deadline to register an objection is next Wednesday (23 July).

The plans have been drawn up by Lewis McMillan Architects, of Queen Square in Brighton.

The developer said that the proposal would provide much-needed housing to tackle the city’s severe housing shortage.

A proposal to put a penthouse on the roof four years ago was rejected both by the council and, on appeal, by a government planning inspector.