Fears over holiday let plans in ‘quiet’ Brighton area

The owners of 49A Surrenden Road have already converted it into a habitable building but have been told it is officially too small to be used as a permanent home under planning regulations.

So instead, they have now applied to turn it into a short-term let, which planning officers have said is acceptable.

Officers recommend councillors grant planning permission when the application goes before Brighton and Hove City Council planning committee on Wednesday, May 15.

Noise from people previously occupying the building was raised as an objection by one of the neighbours, commenting anonymously on the city council website.

They said: “It’s well known that most Airbnb rentals enjoy at least one ‘party night’ – especially in Brighton.

“It will become tiresome if this results in twice weekly noise pollution to the conservation area and erodes the ‘back water’ feel of the lane.

“Pride weekend is especially susceptible and the location is excellent, so I would expect significant disruption.”

The building is reached through a narrow lane starting in Surrenden Road before going behind the houses as an access route.

Another neighbour wrote: “There is no access for emergency vehicles at the Surrenden Road end of the lane.

“A fire engine or ambulance would not be able to gain ready access.

“With saturated parking on Surrenden Road and Cornwall Gardens some residents park on the lane preventing any emergency vehicle access.”

The quiet nature of the road and concern other buildings would be converted into habitable spaces was raised anonymously by another neighbour.

They said: “This proposed development would completely change the quiet local appeal of this track and were it successful could set a precedence for further developments, which would lead to the loss of this very much valued residential amenity.”

The previous application to have it reclassified as a separate home was refused in 2010.

Councillors discuss the application when it meets in public at Portslade Town Hall in Victoria Road, from 2pm on Wednesday, May 15.