Plans for King Alfred move forward

Plans for a new King Alfred Leisure Centre have moved a step forward as the application has been given a seal of approval by Brighton & Hove City Council’s Planning Committee. 

Following a long debate, the Planning Committee has today agreed with the recommendation of officers to ‘mind to grant’ the King Alfred application, subject to referral to the Secretary of State.

8 councillors voted in line with officer recommendations for the scheme and 1 voted against.

The Secretary of State will have 21 days from confirmed receipt of the letter to make a decision whether to call the application in for decision.

You can read the reports for this committee meeting on the council website. 

You can watch the full Planning Committee on the council’s Youtube channel. 

All documents relating to the application can be viewed through our online Planning Register by searching for application BH2026/00490. 

Proposals for the new leisure centre

The new leisure centre will replace the existing ageing building and provide a wide range of improved sports, leisure and wellbeing facilities for residents of all ages and abilities. 

The plans include:

• a much larger fitness suite with 150 stations, compared to around 30 stations in the current facility
• a larger main pool (8 lanes compared to 6) with walk-in steps and Pool Pod
• a larger (17m), more versatile teaching pool with Pool Pod and a movable floor giving the operator flexibility to offer a range of activities including shallow water sessions and Varioplay
• a dedicated leisure water area incorporating features such as interactive play, an enclosed flume and jets/fountains
• a dedicated spin cycling studio along with two group exercise studios
• a 6-court sports hall, with a flexible layout for activities such as roller sports, inflatables, kids birthday parties, 5-a-side football, 3x3 basketball and volleyball
• a multi-use community room
• a much larger cafe with sea views
• an interactive soft play area over 4 levels
• an underground car park with 122 spaces and direct access into the building
• improved accessibility throughout the building including clear wayfinding, a centrally located Changing Places facility, and blue badge parking beside the lift

Extensive community engagement from residents as well as sports, community and disability groups throughout the project has helped shape the proposals from activities, to circulation routes, signage, arrival points and room layouts. 

Engagement has continued during the planning process and refinements made as part of that include amendments to the north and west elevations. 

The new building is set to be constructed on part of the current site, allowing the existing King Alfred Leisure Centre to remain open while construction takes place. Once the new facility is complete and operational, the current building will be demolished. 

Councillor Alan Robins, Cabinet member for Sports, Recreation and Libraries, said: “Residents told us they want a modern leisure centre that is accessible, sustainable and fit for the future. They have been waiting a very long time and today's decision moves us a significant step closer to delivering that.

“The proposals have been shaped by extensive feedback from local communities, sports clubs, families and residents to ensure the new centre reflects the needs and ambitions of our city.

“The King Alfred has been at the heart of community life for generations, but it’s reaching the end of its life and we need to ensure ongoing provision before it needs to close. 

“This is a significant investment in the future health and wellbeing of Brighton & Hove. It will deliver outstanding swimming, sport, wellbeing and family facilities, helping people of all ages and abilities remain active, healthy and connected for decades to come.”

The scheme is being delivered by Alliance Leisure, appointed through the UK Leisure Framework, working with Willmott Dixon, GT3 Architects and a team of specialist consultants and engineers who have helped shape the final designs.

Damien Graham, senior architect at GT3 Architects, said: “Our aim is to create a building that feels unmistakably part of Hove: respectful of its architectural heritage, but contemporary, welcoming and full of life. 

“The existing centre has evolved over many decades, creating a complex layout with inefficient circulation and spaces that no longer meet modern requirements. By planning the proposed centre from first principles, we have been able to make better use of the available space while protecting the quality and range of leisure provision.

“The plans provide larger, more flexible and better-connected facilities within a building designed to be easier to navigate, more sustainable to operate and better equipped to serve the community for decades to come.”

The new leisure centre is a key part of the council’s Sports Facilities Investment Plan.

Once determined, the project will move into the final stages of pre-construction work and work will start on site later next year. The new leisure centre is expected to open in 2028.