Pictures and video of plans for a new multimillion-pound public sports centre and hundreds of homes on King Alfred site in Hove have been released today (Tuesday 2 February).

Brighton and Hove City Council and the developers have also been speaking publicly for the first time since Crest Nicholson and the Starr Trust were selected to deliver the project just over 10 days ago.

Under the plans the current 1930s sports centre would be demolished and replaced with modern public sports facilities.

The new sports centre is part of a comprehensive redevelopment of the site. It would include 560 flats, which would largely fund the sports centre.

Twenty per cent of the flats would be affordable homes aimed at alleviating the city’s housing shortage. There would also be community facilities and commercial space.

Images have been released of the overall development – the council said that these were indicative at this stage. More detailed plans will be worked up as part of public consultation, ahead of a planning application.

A computer animation of the sports centre’s interior has also been made public.

Council leader Warren Morgan said: “I’m pleased that we can now show residents the initial designs of what will be a high-quality but deliverable leisure centre on the King Alfred site.

“It’s important we consult with local residents. However, it is vital that we move forward with the much-needed and unavoidable replacement of the 80-year old facility, one that costs huge sums to keep running.”



Duncan Innes, regional development director at Crest Nicholson, said: “We’re delighted to have been selected by Brighton and Hove City Council, along with our partners the Starr Trust, to deliver the King Alfred Leisure Centre in Hove.

“Our proposals incorporate world-class leisure and community facilities set to benefit local residents, together with outstanding new mixed tenure residential properties in this enviable location on the Hove seafront.

“We look forward to working closely with the council and the wider local community to bring our proposals to life and deliver new investment and vitality to the local area.”

Rob Starr, chairman and founder of the Starr Trust, said: “When we received the news that we were selected to work with BHCC to deliver the King Alfred development I felt a mixture of relief and honour – relief that our hard work for the last three years has paid off and honoured to be trusted, along with our fantastic partners at Crest Nicholson, with such an important job.

“At the Starr Trust we are looking forward immensely to our proposed community hub bringing a real addition to community life – family and young people’s events, community activity, skills development and training, cultural activities and so on – as part of the scheme, contributing to a regenerated seafront to the west of the city that will be a joy for everyone.

“I know that the coming months and years will bring many challenges but we will do all we can to give the city the very best of us.”