Upset over plans to add an extra floor to Hove flat block

More than 60 neighbours are against plans for the extra floor on Hove Manor, a six-storey block in Hove Street,

The floor is set back but there are concerns about the way it looks, as well as increasing the pressure on parking and volumes of people coming into the building.

Brighton and Hove City Council planning officers are recommending councillors grant permission for the development when it goes before the planning committee on Wednesday, May 15.

Described as penthouses by architects Mohsin Cooper, acting for applicant Benjamin Cowen, the scheme consists of two three-bedroom and one two-bedroom flat with terraces.

Mohsin Cooper point out the government has set a target equivalent to 1,100 new homes a year in Brighton and Hove.

The company said: “The proposals presented within this report make efficient use of the existing building’s roof space to provide three new flats thereby making a contribution to reducing the shortfall in new housing in the city.”

In their objections neighbours dispute how much impact this will have on the need for housing.

One redacted anonymous comment on the city council planning site said: “The flats will obviously be expensive and unsuitable for younger families.

“Therefore they do nothing to promote government policy that the general shortage of housing will only be overcome by low-cost developments.”

Another redacted anonymous comment said: “The suggestion that three luxury flats makes a contribution to the housing shortage is ludicrous.

“The building is in the Art Deco style and the proposed addition will do nothing to enhance this.

“The provision of sizeable balconies could well lead to noisy open air parties in the summer evening.”

Elderly residents are also concerned about being housebound as lifts would be replaced.

There are also worries about the water being cut off while the tanks are removed and a new tank rooms built.

Parking pressures were raised by residents as there are no dedicated spaces.

One redacted comment on the council planning site said: “Parking spaces behind the flats are at present not guaranteed for residents, so adding more vehicles will exacerbate the problem.

“Even with the added street parking permit we sometimes have to park in the next road.”

The planning committee meets at Portslade Town Hall in Victoria Road, from 2pm on Wednesday May 15.