The Sussex Surf Life Saving Centre proposal for Hove seafront

The Sussex Surf Life Saving Centre is the brainchild of David Samuel and aims to provide a base to train future generations of first aiders and lifeguards while increasing disabled access to the beach.

Mr Samuel, who created the Paddle Round the Pier Festival, believes the project has the opportunity to change the lives of people "not only within our city but far beyond".

The proposed building on the western Hove seafront green is planned to feature classrooms, space for life-saving equipment, a members' bar and much more.

Mr Samuel is sharing his vision in a bid to entice community feedback on the scheme.

"There has been a lot of backlash to development in Hove," Mr Samuel said.

Credit: Credit: Landivar architects

"It needs development, but it needs to be sympathetic development.

"This is not a commercial building that's bringing in tourists, it's a community legacy building to last over 100 years."

Brighton Surf Lifesaving Club currently provides fitness, first aid and lifeguard training for people aged over eight.

Its members volunteer their time to help lifeguards during busy seasons, teach beachgoers about sea safety and put on classes for young students.

Mr Samuel said the club had reached capacity and the new building will expand its "vital" work while providing a hub for services across the county.

He said: "It's something desperately needed. If you educate people before they come to the beach, we can save lives.

"This is not a commercial venture, we are locals hoping to create a new community space and are open to suggestions on how these community rooms can be used.

Credit: Landivar architects

"The plans are out there as an outline of how we would like to see the area utilised, they are not definitive."

The ground floor is planned to have lockers for 3.35 metre water boards, which will be accessible from the outside of the building.

There is a planned garage space for five Arancia Inshore Rescue Boats and a tractor unit.

General public access to year-round freshwater showers is also planned, along with 20-metre indoor and outdoor sandpit tracks.

The proposals also include two four-metre "endless training pools", a physiotherapy studio, and indoor and outdoor members' weights gyms.

Adult and children adaptable changing rooms are also planned.

On the first floor, there is a planned classroom space to teach fitness classes and hold meetings and functions.

There would also be a catering area, kitchen facilities, and a licensed members bar, all for members only.

Also planned for the first floor is a shop for specialist watersports kits, a repair shop, as well as youth centre facilities including pool tables, football and homework stations.

Office space for organisations including the Wave Project, a lifeguard lookout station and built-in beach huts beneath the lookout canopy, are also planned.

Mr Samuel said: "There's a distinct lack of lifeguards around that area so we are keen to support Brighton and Hove's lifeguard team and service by giving facilities to change. Currently, they're doing so in old toilets so it's not a great situation.

Credit: Landivar architects

Young people across the city and beyond will also benefit from the building, Mr Samuel said.

He added: "There is also a lack of children's services and youth clubs, but here is a place where they can hang out and feel like it is their own space.

"Surf Life Saving becomes a lifestyle in itself for those lucky enough to feel its draw. It represents far more than just a hobby or sport, it’s a lifelong commitment to helping others.

"By commissioning a purpose-built Life Saving Centre, it allows us to support and develop the city’s young people into fit healthy community minded adults who will go on to serve society for years to come."

The project is also aiming to improve facilities for disabled people with Changing Places toilets, improved parking, charging points for electric wheelchairs and disability awareness training for lifeguards.

Mr Samuel said access beach ramps, which help disabled people enjoy the sea, will also be created and set up by its members.

He said: "We want to create permanent safe access for all.

"When I first started Paddle Round the Pier, we started access beach ramps where people would have supported access into the sea.

"We had families coming down for the first time ever."

Mr Samuel added: "In terms of funding, we're going down all the usual routes.

"Lottery funding, sports council funding, Comic Relief. Because of the merits of the scheme, I'm not worried.

"None of us are commercial, we're not here to make money ourselves, we're all just volunteers for the betterment of others."

To have your say on the scheme, visit the site here.