The fate of a beachfront building described by its owner as the "ugliest in Hove" is to be decided next week.

Plans for a £2.5 million transformation of the Babylon Lounge will be considered by Brighton and Hove city councillors at a planning meeting on Wednesday.

If the proposals are given the go-ahead, the venue would be completely revamped.

Owner Ali Kosari, who bought the nightclub five years ago, hopes to turn the building into a multi-level entertainment complex with conference facilities, a live entertainment stage and a venue for weddings.

Built with a nautical theme using glass, timber and steel, the building would open out on to the promenade, giving visitors a full view of the sea.

The two bars would be refurbished, an ice cream kiosk upgraded and a beer and sculpture garden built at the rear. A new roof terrace restaurant would also be added.

Mr Kosari said: "I think this will complement the King Alfred and all the other developments on the seafront and fit in well with the local community."

An application to double the capacity of the club, which has counted Sir Paul McCartney and Norman Cook among its clientele, was turned down last year after complaints from neighbours.

The revised proposals, which would see capacity increased from 536 to 695, have been on display since July.

In August ward councillors Brian Oxley and Denise Cobb visited the club in the early hours of a Sunday morning to see how noisy revellers were. The city council has received 11 objections to the application, mainly related to concerns about noise.

Although the club would continue to host live acts and DJs, plans for a large foyer where clubbers could wait until their taxis arrived have been included.

Mr Kosari added: "I am not worried about noise because I know for a fact all the issues have been dealt with."

The club is also in talks with bus companies about a late-night service to take people home.

Mr Kosari has hired Brighton-based architect LCE, which was responsible for Brighton's award-winning Jubilee Library, to design the new complex.

If permission is granted, Mr Kosari said work would start as soon as possible.

Friday, October 28, 2005