A former councillor who devoted her time to protecting a beauty spot says she is overjoyed that the green space will not have a leisure centre built on it.
The Hangleton green space had been one sight considered for a new leisure centre to replace the King Alfred Leisure Centre – but Brighton and Hove City Council revealed plans yesterday to build on the current site in Hove.
Now, former councillor Dawn Barnett says she is “thoroughly pleased” with the expected decision, adding it was the best thing for the city.
When told about the news, she reacted: “Thank god for that.”
She added: “I’m thoroughly pleased that it will be on the old site, that’s the best option.
“We don’t want anything built on Benfield Valley. When kids come home from school they need green spaces to play in.
“When Covid hit if it weren’t for Benfield Valley we would have gone mad. These green spaces are so special.”
Dawn, who served as a Hangleton and Knoll councillor for over 20 years, had campaigned to keep Benfield Valley from being built on.
Plans for the replacement to the King Alfred Leisure Centre had been mooted on a council owned patch of land near Old Shoreham Road. But a restrictive covenant protecting the land added a hurdle to the plans despite it being deemed the most financially viable option for the new centre.
As the majority of residents favoured building on the current site, the council’s new Labour Cabinet has been asked to agree that a new £47 million leisure centre in Hove will be the best option for the city.
The new leisure centre is not expected to open until at least 2028.
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