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Archived Press Release
Originally created on: Tuesday 13 September, 2005
Press release Tuesday 13 September 2005
King Alfred moves to next stage
The King Alfred development is a stage closer to becoming reality after Brighton & Hove City Council granted approval in its capacity of landlord.
At a meeting last night (12 September) the council’s policy and resources committee agreed that plans submitted for the Frank Gehry scheme met the standards set by the council in 2004.
King Alfred developers Karis plan to submit a planning application this week, which will go to the council’s planning committee over the next year.
The project began as a replacement for the ageing King Alfred sports centre, though much of the debate until now has been about the housing element. In recent weeks exciting designs for a world-class sports centre at the heart of the development have been revealed.
Chair of the KA project board and deputy leader of the council Sue John said: “This scheme will change the design of sports centres in the UK for the next 20 years.
“As with the Jubilee Library it will make a step change from a functional building to something which will be at the heart of the community for years to come.
“I believe this will be an award-winning scheme on several fronts - in terms of sports provision, architectural design and sustainability.
“Our young people will be delighted to hear about this decision. Not only will there be a lot more activities for them in a first-class facility but lots of jobs at the King Alfred in future, both during the construction and afterwards.”
Christopher Davies, senior facilities manager of Sport England said: “The proposal takes full advantage of the unique site opportunities and provides the solution that Brighton & Hove should expect from a modern sports provision.”
At the policy and resources meeting three amendments were added to the original report by the Green Party: that the council earmark £1m to provide a sustainable transport scheme for the King Alfred; that the council ask the developer to improve the scheme in terms of renewable energy, waste recycling and grey water recycling; that the scheme’s infrastructure requirements be assessed in the context of the city’s wider infrastructure needs. These amendments were agreed by all councillors.
Green convenor Cllr Keith Taylor said: “Through our amendment we have successfully secured £1m guarantees for seafront sustainable transport to serve the development.
“Also as a result of our amendment, extra assurances are required about increasing renewable energy creation, improving waste and recycling facilities and more grey water recycling”.
The final vote was 9-6 in favour of the proposals with Labour, Green and Lib Dem councillors voting in favour and Conservative councillors against.
Related information
- visit the King Alfred website
- find out about other major projects in Brighton & Hove
- make an online press enquiry
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