Controversial plans to add storeys to Brighton flats approved

Brighton and Hove City Council has given the green light to two applications for an extra 27 flats and two storeys each at two blocks on the Kingsmere estate in London Road. 

The proposals have received 21 objections, including a petition named ‘Save Kingsmere from Overdevelopment and Greed’, which received 15 signatures.

The petition reads: “We the undersigned call on the council to reject plans to add two storeys to blocks of flats at Kingsmere, London Road, Brighton.

“We believe this plan will lead to serious overdevelopment of the site, loss of light to many flats, excessive noise and reduction in privacy as well as environmental damage and loss of value to leaseholders.

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“The existing design of blocks makes them safe and peaceful for many people with mobility problems and disabilities.

“The overdevelopment will make them less secure because of increased noise, traffic and fire risk.

“We note that works will cause serious social disruption to the residents, many of whom are vulnerable or who have small children.

“When the estate was built a firm undertaking was made to local neighbours that the blocks would not be higher than they currently are.”

One comment of objection on the application said: “If this goes ahead, Kingsmere will cease to be a peaceful and safe place to live.

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“The application proposes a massive and unwarranted overdevelopment of the site, with a huge increase in the number of flats and height of buildings.

“Please reject and protect leaseholders/tenants from corporate greed.”

Others voiced concerns about the current infrastructure of the building being “inadequate to support the proposed additional stories” due to “a lack of parking spaces and bin storage”.

Brighton and Hove City councillor Kerry Pickett, of Preston Park, has also submitted an objection on the grounds that “it will be detrimental for the current residents in terms of amenity and will be an overdevelopment of the Kingsmere estate”.

Two other applications have also been submitted for the expansion of Kingsmere proposing two additional storeys each on the other blocks and a total of 27 more flats.

Including the approval of these applications, the estate could see 54 new flats.