Brighton residents furious over Soho House fence plan

Frustrated Brightonians living in Camelford Street and the Van Alen building in Marine Parade have expressed their anger at proposals for a six-foot fence at Soho House which they say will block the view of the sea.

The Beach House site has submitted a planning application to erect Art Deco “boundary treatment” to the northern side of the club between the upper deck buildings, including a 2 metre decorative metal fence and entrance gate, to the northern side of the site, which faces Marine Parade.

The proposals also include plans for a new glazed screen and deep planters.

Residents say the plans go against the initial planning permission granted to the private members club several years ago, but this is disputed.

One of the conditions made by the council was that a visual ten-metre gap between the venue’s two buildings to maintain an unobstructed view must be “permanently” maintained.

Soho House says the fence will not block the view.

But residents say the club is gradually stealing it.

“They’re stealing the view from all the people in Brighton for an exclusive gated club,” they said.

“Everyone has now had enough.”

The two metre fence would be positioned between Soho House's two buildings (Image: The Argus)

Rupert Baker, a TV producer who has lived in the street for ten years, said nearby hotel and gay club Legends is also concerned about the impact the proposals will have on its business.

“They want to put sun loungers there,” said Rupert Barker.

“So five people can sunbathe but they’re going to block the view for the whole town.

“This is the prettiest street in this area.

“If they do do something, which we don’t know they definitely will, but we are extremely worried that they will.

“So are Legends, where there’s the only gay view in town, that the terrace will be completely blocked.

“It’s saying you have to pay for one of the prettiest areas in Brighton with a sea view.

“It’s only for the members.

“It’s the gated community mentality which this town has never had.

“This sets a questionable precedent.

“We don’t want to start a war.

“It’s great Soho House is here but we’ve had enough.”

The 58-year-old said there is a “growing resentment” against Soho House around the issue from residents and the wider Brighton community.

Mr Baker also called on the house to remove metal fencing which currently surrounds the site.

“There’s a building feeling that there’s going to be protests,” he said.

Residents of Camelford Street say they will have their sea view blocked (Image: The Argus)

Fellow Camelford Street resident Elaine Craig said the proposals are “elitist”.

“It’s going to take away everybody’s views,” she said.

“When Pride happens, there’ll be no view of the sea we’ll have the gilded cage of Soho House.

“I think it’s elitism.

“If they wanted a private members club why put it right in the middle of the seafront?”

Architect Chris Cage, 64, who has lived in the area for 33 years, said other ways to secure the site’s security should be considered.

Gordon Strachan, a fisherman who chose to live on the street due to the “beautiful” view of the sea, also expressed his displeasure at the proposals.

Retired filmmaker Morris Baker, 77, who has lived in Camelford Street for 26 years described the plans as “appalling”.

And David Brown, a resident of the Van Alen building, said people living on the ground floor of the flats will have their view completely blocked.

Harry Casella, one of Legends managers, with Erica Hann (Image: The Argus)

Legends’s Erica Hann said the plans were concerning for the business.

“We waited five years for the hoarding to come down and then they’re going to put something back up again,” she said.

“It was the first thing that was commented on when the hoarding came down ‘oh the view is back’.

“It’s very concerning.”

Residents have also slammed Brighton and Hove City Council for “not doing enough” to protect the seafront.

A council spokesman said: “The original planning permission for what is now Soho House did not include any way to secure the site along its northern boundary along Marine Parade.

“Since Soho House opened, this has been secured first with wooden hoarding, then with heras fencing.

“A planning application has now been submitted seeking to install a gate in this location.

“We are aware that the original planning permission required a ten metre ‘visual gap’ between the two buildings.

“All comments made by residents regarding the new planning application will be taken into account when the application is determined.

“We have a legal duty to consider in a fair and transparent manner all planning applications that are submitted to us.”

A spokeswoman for Soho House said: “Most of our members live locally and working in partnership with the community is important to us.

“The proposed installation of the ornate slim metal profile gates and railing will preserve the sea view from Marine Parade.”