Brighton: Grass damaged after month-long fan zone replanted in autumn

Part of Valley Gardens in front of St Peter's Church in York Place, Brighton, was used as a fan zone for the European Championships football and other events for a month.

The final event was held on Sunday, July 14, and for four days afterwards contractors spent time taking down the tall green fencing surrounding it, and clearing up.

The grass will not be replanted until the autumn (Image: The Argus)

Now the fencing has been taken down, residents are upset at the state of the site.

Nu McAdam, who previously said he was annoyed by how the green space was taken over, said: "I'm disappointed but not surprised."

Nu, who lives in Ashton Rise nearby, is quadriplegic and said he and other disabled residents were being forgotten by the council.

READ MORE: Concerns after park turned into fan zone

He previously said: "This is a space that residents actually use. The space is closed off even when events aren’t running."

The pop-up venue, dubbed Central Brighton Park, also came under fire during the month for the cost of tickets and level of noise.

A nearby resident, who did not wish to be named, told The Argus since the fencing has come down the area "reeks to high heaven of urine".

"The extensive damage was inevitable since nothing was done to protect the area."

The Argus understands contractors jet washed the paved area in front of St Peter's Church on Friday.

Councillor Alan Robins, cabinet member for sport and recreation, said: “All applications for events held on council land are reviewed by the Events Team to assess the potential impact and risk of the event to the land.

“All large-scale events, and those that take place over a long period of time, are required to have an event licence agreement which includes the organiser being liable for any damages to the green spaces and outdoor areas they use as a result of their event. Any reinstatement costs are charged to the event organiser along with their land hire fee.

“Due to the time of year, our Parks team cannot complete all the necessary reinstatement works until the autumn period such as the reseeding which is fully paid by the organiser.”