Council clarifies Hippodrome application has not been ‘called in’ by govt

Following some incorrect news reports, Brighton & Hove City Council has clarified the fact the planning application to convert the Hippodrome theatre into a multi-screen cinema and restaurants has not been called in by the government.

The council’s head of planning and public protection Martin Randall explained:  “Following the Planning Committee meeting on July 16, the council as planning authority was procedurally required to refer the application to the government.  The Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) will notify us of their decision on whether to ‘call in’ the application or allow planning permission to be granted in line with the planning committee’s decision.  No such decision by the DCLG has been received to date and as such the planning permission has not been issued.”

The council has been given no deadline or timeline for a DCLG decision.