The city council will not specify which aspects of a major city development will be axed due to soaring costs.

The Kingsway to the Sea scheme to create a new park on Hove seafront had to be paused last month while plans were reviewed to fit the original budget after being hit by significant rises in construction and material costs.

Inflation and a lack of building supplies nationally mean the major seafront redevelopment scheme will now cost £3.9 million more than initially thought.

Work began in February to prepare the area between King Alfred Leisure Centre and Hove Lagoon for a new outdoor sports hub but Brighton and Hove City Council now says it may adapt the original plans to allow for inflated costs.

Councillor Alan Robins, chairman of the culture, heritage, sport, tourism and economic development committee said: “Rising construction costs and the current national shortages of materials and labour have resulted in unprecedented cost inflation and a funding gap we simply can’t meet.

“We’ve had to make some tough choices and reduce the scope of the original plan.

“This project has always been about what the community wants to see in the space, and we’ll continue to work closely with residents to deliver as much as we can.

The Argus: Councillor Alan Robins Councillor Alan Robins (Image: Brighton and Hove City Council)

“It is still going to be an amazing new park and I’d like to thank everyone who has taken the time to share their feedback and get involved – especially the West Hove Seafront Action Group - for their continued support”.

When asked by The Argus about which specific areas of the project will be cut or delayed Brighton and Hove City Council would not clarify but said the majority of facilities proposed will remain in the scheme, including:

  • Accessible and biodiverse green spaces across the park
  • A new outdoor sports hub building with bowls clubhouse, public café and terrace, public toilets, changing rooms and a Changing Places facility
  • Tennis and padel tennis courts with a new pavilion
  • Bowls and croquet lawns
  • A skatepark, pump track and roller area
  • Refurbished toilets at Hove Lagoon

Lead councillor for major projects Julie Cattell said: “Rising construction costs and the current national shortages of materials and labour have resulted in a funding gap we simply can’t meet.

“We need to manage council funds extremely carefully, so the scheme has had to be altered. But we are managing to keep most of the original elements.

“Although some of the planned amenities have had to be put on hold, we have agreed that other facilities could be added later, as money becomes available. To this end, we are actively looking for more funding sources.

“We will be creating some fantastic facilities in this first phase and we are continuing to work closely with the community.

“To reassure residents concerned about the hoarding that was put in place earlier this year – this was to allow the site to be cleared safely and to put in place water and power supplies. The hoarding will remain ready for building to start.”

Work is expected to start in the autumn.