PEOPLE are urged to have their say on a planned seafront revamp as more pictures are released of the scheme including new sports facilities, refurbished toilets and green space.
The Kingsway to the Sea regeneration project, predicted to cost almost £13 million, spans the coastal strip from Hove Lagoon to the King Alfred Leisure Centre.
Proposals include a new outdoor sports hub, with bowling greens, tennis courts and a skate park.
The scheme aims to “rejuvenate run-down spaces and update existing facilities to provide space for new sports activities”.
Councillor Martin Osborne, chairman of Brighton and Hove City Council’s tourism, equalities, communities and culture committee, said the plans presented a “golden opportunity” to provide people of all ages with a range of sport and leisure opportunities.
He said: “The plans create a new must visit destination for Brighton and Hove.”
Alongside six tennis courts there will be a new pavilion and facilities for table tennis and padel tennis, a sociable form of the game played in doubles on a smaller court.
Lighting will enable the courts to be used throughout the year.
There will also be a new beach sports area adjacent to the existing croquet club, with a volleyball court and three more tennis courts. The layout will be flexible, so the area can also be used for beach rugby and beach football.
Kasia Chmielewska, director at Beach Tennis UK who runs sessions in Brighton, welcomed the proposals for a new beach sports area and said it was “fantastic” to see sand sports included in the plans.
“Sand sports are becoming increasingly popular and they have health benefits for people of all ages. Sand is a low impact playing surface which is softer on joints and reduces the chance of injuries," she said.
“I have been running regular sessions for 12 years and have players from ten to 75 years old taking part.”
Lawrence Bleach from Brighton Beach Tennis said having permanent facilities was “important”.
He said: “To be alongside other more established sports would be a great way of growing overall sports participation.”
On the western end of the development, there will be a new skate park, BMX pump track and roller blading areas.
The pump track plans are inspired by Newhaven pump track.
Liam Teague, manager of Brighton Youth Centre Skatepark, said the new plans were “incredible” and “unique”.
“We have a team of local skaters who have a lot of experience working on the design,” he said.
“It is going to be an amazing place where young people can learn their sport in a safe friendly environment.”
At consultation back in May, 56 per cent of people surveyed said the main issue was the quality of the existing green spaces.
The plans propose four garden areas along the development, each with new planting and trees.
According to the council plans, the planting will be in keeping with the coastal environment, with lawns, trees and shrubbery inspired by the planted embankments of the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in London.
The plans state that new planting will also supporting climate change mitigation and increase biodiversity in the area.
The largest of the new gardens will be on the old pitch and putt space which is now disused.
When asked why people do not visit West Hove seafront, 72 per cent of those surveyed said the spaces were not accessible or safe to use.
At present, the eastern approach to the Big Beach Café is inaccessible. The proposals will add ramped access to the café, the tennis courts and throughout the gardens.
The play area next to Hove Lagoon will be refurbished and relocated slightly to the west to uncover more lawn space.
The council is asking the public to give their views on the plans in the three-week consultation which ends on Friday, October 28.
The planning committee will consider the application at the end of this year. If approved, work on the site will begin in spring 2023.
Construction would then take place over the following year with a completion target of early summer 2024.
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