Angry Brighton residents have urged councillors to oppose plans for Soho House to build a two-metre fence over fears their sea views will be blocked.
The private members’ club hopes to erect an Art Deco “boundary treatment”, including a wrought iron fence with an elaborate decorative entrance, along the city’s sea front.
Soho House says the installation will provide its guests, who pay an annual fee of £2,750 for access to its clubs, with privacy as well as adding another entrance to the building.
But neighbours have angrily opposed the club’s plans, which would also add tall plants, deep planters and large shrubberies to the fence to provide more cover.
Nearby residents are concerned that the new boundary would block their sea views and bring more traffic to the road in front of the building as a result. Others complained it would lower property prices in the area.
In a complaint written to Brighton and Hove Council, a local said: “This proposed two-metre fence would remove a sea view totally and devalue our property with immediate effect.”
Another wrote: “We look to you as our planning department to consider the council tax paying residents and not simply railroad us by bending to pressure from lucrative companies such as Soho House.”
“Soho House Private Members Club takes a lot and gives little back to the people of Brighton and Hove,” a third concerned neighbour added.
One particularly angered resident accused Soho House of “taking the p–s”, adding: “They already have their private sea-view terrace and I struggle to see why they should completely remove any access to a view for the general population of Brighton just because they can? It is absolutely not acceptable.
“Was this the plan all along? To abide by some planning regulations and then slowly achieve their original rebutted design plan along the softly, softly, monkey-catcher methodology by incrementally sliding back to their original plan with no ramifications.”
A spokesman for Soho House said: “Most of our members live locally and working in partnership with the community is important to us. The proposed installation of the ornate slim metal profile gates and railing will preserve the sea view from Marine Parade.”
Soho House, which runs 41 clubs around the world, was granted permission to build on the Grade II-listed site on Marine Parade in 2016, but with a planning condition which stated a sea view between two new rooftop buildings must be preserved.
The vista was blocked for several years after hoardings were put up in 2017, remaining there for months after the venue was opened in May 2022 to be taken down the following September.
Residents have expressed anger at plans to install a fence and shrubbery around a private members’ club on the seafront, Set on the seafront with views of the pier, Brighton Beach House spans two floors and features Art Deco-inspired interiors, a rooftop terrace, and a banana-shaped pool specially designed by artist David Shrigley, The glass front of the club looks out across the English Channel, with an extensive art collection featuring local LGBTQIA+ artists.
The club menu has been specially created for Brighton, with a focus on seafood, while The Dining Room serves Mediterranean-inspired dishes, Membership starts from £109 monthly (£50 for Under 27 members).
The venue has now applied for new planning permission to install a two-metre high decorative fence and gate between the buildings.
The application says: “The revised plans for the north elevation now propose a new bespoke railing and gate pattern influenced by early 20th-century style, in keeping with the approach taken for the redevelopment of this site.”
A resident of the Van Allen building opposite Soho House Brighton, who bought their flat after permission was granted but before it was built, said: “I would not have bought my apartment if I had known that they would be allowed to flout the planning permission and get away with it.”
Brighton and Hove council last year said that it would prioritise preserving the heritage of the area. Lesley Johnson, head of the Brighton and Hove Council heritage team noted that the new club sits in “a listed building in an historic area and is in a highly prominent location on a main thoroughfare”.
The Brighton clubhouse houses restaurants, bars and an event space, with a terrace overlooking the sea outside and a separate, glass-fronted building that has views of Brighton Palace Pier. Across its two floors members can browse art collections, swim in a “dipping pool” and use a “content box” to record podcasts and short videos.
The Telegraph doesn’t seem to provide much information other than outrage – it’s a pretty unacademic and useless article. If anyone is interested in the actual plans, they are here:
The proposals seem quite nice, the current site was just a roof but previous plans have seen some new “buildings” put in (single story on top of the roof which was level with the road).
The new proposals suggest some greenery will be included in these new plans which is better than what was there before. The gap between the two new buildings is interesting as it’s not that big considering how the views of the sea are already blocked by the new elevations. The Art Deco gate and fence isn’t really going to block the views as it’s a fence not a wall, and again not that obstructive given the size.
It seems a bit NIMBYish in the grand scheme of things, when the views are already obstructed by the previous plans for anyone looking out of ground floor windows. In fact, the main development affected by the proposals has a wall and greenery blocking the ground floor windows anyway so it’s a bit strange the views are being brought up when the current development affected most by the proposals already has self-inflicted view problems.
Looking at the [location on streetview](https://maps.app.goo.gl/EPi8xXPw9VHzqcNC8), there are four floor townhouses immediately behind what will become Soho House Brighton, where the first floor flats appear to be level with the top floor of the new Soho House building (as the latter is built further down a hill).
I don’t really believe the general public will be affected by the barriers. Surely Soho House can simply buy off those in the ground and first floor flats who might have been affected? Even if they’re only affecting a dozen or so people, and even if beachfront homeowners in Brighton are unlikely to be the most sympathetic people, removing a property’s sea view without reimbursement to build a privacy fence for the worst people alive rubs me the wrong way.
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***From The Telegraph’s Riya Makwana:***
Angry Brighton residents have urged councillors to oppose plans for Soho House to build a two-metre fence over fears their sea views will be blocked.
The private members’ club hopes to erect an Art Deco “boundary treatment”, including a wrought iron fence with an elaborate decorative entrance, along the city’s sea front.
Soho House says the installation will provide its guests, who pay an annual fee of £2,750 for access to its clubs, with privacy as well as adding another entrance to the building.
But neighbours have angrily opposed the club’s plans, which would also add tall plants, deep planters and large shrubberies to the fence to provide more cover.
Nearby residents are concerned that the new boundary would block their sea views and bring more traffic to the road in front of the building as a result. Others complained it would lower property prices in the area.
In a complaint written to Brighton and Hove Council, a local said: “This proposed two-metre fence would remove a sea view totally and devalue our property with immediate effect.”
Another wrote: “We look to you as our planning department to consider the council tax paying residents and not simply railroad us by bending to pressure from lucrative companies such as Soho House.”
“Soho House Private Members Club takes a lot and gives little back to the people of Brighton and Hove,” a third concerned neighbour added.
One particularly angered resident accused Soho House of “taking the p–s”, adding: “They already have their private sea-view terrace and I struggle to see why they should completely remove any access to a view for the general population of Brighton just because they can? It is absolutely not acceptable.
“Was this the plan all along? To abide by some planning regulations and then slowly achieve their original rebutted design plan along the softly, softly, monkey-catcher methodology by incrementally sliding back to their original plan with no ramifications.”
A spokesman for Soho House said: “Most of our members live locally and working in partnership with the community is important to us. The proposed installation of the ornate slim metal profile gates and railing will preserve the sea view from Marine Parade.”
Soho House, which runs 41 clubs around the world, was granted permission to build on the Grade II-listed site on Marine Parade in 2016, but with a planning condition which stated a sea view between two new rooftop buildings must be preserved.
The vista was blocked for several years after hoardings were put up in 2017, remaining there for months after the venue was opened in May 2022 to be taken down the following September.
Residents have expressed anger at plans to install a fence and shrubbery around a private members’ club on the seafront, Set on the seafront with views of the pier, Brighton Beach House spans two floors and features Art Deco-inspired interiors, a rooftop terrace, and a banana-shaped pool specially designed by artist David Shrigley, The glass front of the club looks out across the English Channel, with an extensive art collection featuring local LGBTQIA+ artists.
The club menu has been specially created for Brighton, with a focus on seafood, while The Dining Room serves Mediterranean-inspired dishes, Membership starts from £109 monthly (£50 for Under 27 members).
The venue has now applied for new planning permission to install a two-metre high decorative fence and gate between the buildings.
The application says: “The revised plans for the north elevation now propose a new bespoke railing and gate pattern influenced by early 20th-century style, in keeping with the approach taken for the redevelopment of this site.”
A resident of the Van Allen building opposite Soho House Brighton, who bought their flat after permission was granted but before it was built, said: “I would not have bought my apartment if I had known that they would be allowed to flout the planning permission and get away with it.”
Brighton and Hove council last year said that it would prioritise preserving the heritage of the area. Lesley Johnson, head of the Brighton and Hove Council heritage team noted that the new club sits in “a listed building in an historic area and is in a highly prominent location on a main thoroughfare”.
The Brighton clubhouse houses restaurants, bars and an event space, with a terrace overlooking the sea outside and a separate, glass-fronted building that has views of Brighton Palace Pier. Across its two floors members can browse art collections, swim in a “dipping pool” and use a “content box” to record podcasts and short videos.
Brighton and Hove Council declined to comment.
**Read on site:** [**https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2023/05/26/soho-house-at-war-brighton-neighbours-over-art-deco-fence/**](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2023/05/26/soho-house-at-war-brighton-neighbours-over-art-deco-fence/)
The Telegraph doesn’t seem to provide much information other than outrage – it’s a pretty unacademic and useless article. If anyone is interested in the actual plans, they are here:
[https://planningapps.brighton-hove.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=summary&keyVal=RS6S3WDMMGC00](https://planningapps.brighton-hove.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=summary&keyVal=RS6S3WDMMGC00)
The proposals seem quite nice, the current site was just a roof but previous plans have seen some new “buildings” put in (single story on top of the roof which was level with the road).
The new proposals suggest some greenery will be included in these new plans which is better than what was there before. The gap between the two new buildings is interesting as it’s not that big considering how the views of the sea are already blocked by the new elevations. The Art Deco gate and fence isn’t really going to block the views as it’s a fence not a wall, and again not that obstructive given the size.
It seems a bit NIMBYish in the grand scheme of things, when the views are already obstructed by the previous plans for anyone looking out of ground floor windows. In fact, the main development affected by the proposals has a wall and greenery blocking the ground floor windows anyway so it’s a bit strange the views are being brought up when the current development affected most by the proposals already has self-inflicted view problems.
Looking at the [location on streetview](https://maps.app.goo.gl/EPi8xXPw9VHzqcNC8), there are four floor townhouses immediately behind what will become Soho House Brighton, where the first floor flats appear to be level with the top floor of the new Soho House building (as the latter is built further down a hill).
I don’t really believe the general public will be affected by the barriers. Surely Soho House can simply buy off those in the ground and first floor flats who might have been affected? Even if they’re only affecting a dozen or so people, and even if beachfront homeowners in Brighton are unlikely to be the most sympathetic people, removing a property’s sea view without reimbursement to build a privacy fence for the worst people alive rubs me the wrong way.