Brighton pub’s plan for new smoking terrace refused

Indigo, owners of the The Eagle pub in Gloucester Road, Brighton, had wanted remodel a former function room into a partly enclosed terrace without a bar to act as a smoking area.

Haowever, during discussions at the Brighton and Hove City Council Planning Committee, on Wednesday October 9, councillors were told by environmental health this was unlikely to be allowed as the plans showed the terrace was partly enclosed.

Annabel Busby spoke on behalf of residents of Gloucester Yard, all eight of whom objected to the plans.

She  said:  “We all love the vibrancy of living in central Brighton.

“This development will bring pub noise into our homes in a way that it has not been before.”

In response to councillor’s questions about noise, Mrs Busby added: “I will not be able to sit in my sitting room without feeling as though I am sitting in a pub.

“I am worried about sitting outside and it being noisy.”

St Peter’s and North Laine Green councillor Lizzie Deane also spoke for residents, telling the committee the homes affected in Gloucester Place are live/work units, meaning people are home all day.

She said: “We have eight small businesses in this small area.

“We want to encourage the economy of the area but ask for consideration for the eight people here whose lives will be affected as much as their working lives.

“Reduced hours might mitigate the noise but day time drinking will affect them at all times.”

Planning agent Simon Bareham said when Indigo bought The Eagle in 2018 the company found it in a dilapidation condition with work needed on the chimney and bay windows.

He told the committee no amplified music would be played on the terrace.

Green councillor Leo Littman said: “We cannot judge the noise impact on residents.

“I’m not sure I can support this application.”

He was backed by Labour councillor Daniel Yates who described the potential noise as “uncontrollable” and Conservative Tony Janio who was unhappy with the increased levels of ambient noise.

Committee chair Labour councillor Tracey Hill said: “I am uncomfortable supporting this.

“I do not believe it is not going to cause a noise nuisance.”

Eight councillors voted against approving the application with Conservative Joe Miller abstaining.