Revealed: Plans for six-foot high fence at exclusive Soho House which have left neighbours enjoying view of Brighton seafront furious
- The exclusive Soho House plans to erect a painted iron fence near the coastline
- Locals fear this could block idyllic sea views and even lower property values
- Members of the private club pay up to £2,750 per year for access to facilities
Plans for a six-foot high fence that have infuriated neighbours of a world-famous private members club in Brighton have been revealed to MailOnline.
The exclusive Soho House has put forward plans to erect so-called ‘boundary treatment’ along the city’s coastline which includes a divisive painted iron wall.
The building plan shows how the ornate curved entryway will also be surrounded by both low and tall plants, deep planters and ‘spiky plants’.
But some locals have slammed the plan as ‘outrageous’, alleging the club is looking to add ‘air vents’ and ‘outlets’ onto the roofs that were not included in the original building plans.
Critics also claimed the plan only benefits ‘a few affluent people’ and will block idyllic views of the English Channel for many others.
Plans for a six-foot high fence that have infuriated neighbours of a world-famous private members club in Brighton have been revealed to MailOnline
This fence comes as a privacy measure for its local club members who can pay up to £1,300 per year for access if they are under 27, or £2,750 if they are older. Pictured is a view of a hotel in Brighton which has been bought by Soho House and will be turned into apartments
The exclusive Soho House is planning to erect a painted iron fence along Brighton’s coast
The exclusive Soho House has put forward plans to erect so-called ‘boundary treatment’ along the city’s coastline which includes a divisive painted iron wall. Pictured is the view that residents say will be blocked by the privacy measure
Soho House seeks to give members a ‘home away from home’ in more than 38 locations around the world.
This fence comes as a privacy measure for its local club members who can pay up to £1,300 per year for access if they are under 27, or £2,750 if they are older.
Another entrance and moveable planters are intended to be additional features of the controversial plans Soho House has put forward.
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‘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),’ the plan application reads.
‘This is proposed to be limited in length, aligned to respect the form of the new development and set away from the existing listed railings to the north.
Soho House claims the design would also enable views through to the sea, which the firm says considers an ‘acceptable’ solution to ‘secure access to the property.’
Locals are now slamming the plans, claiming the 10-metre gap between the two buildings that offers a beautiful view to residents and tourists alike should remain accessible to all.
Doug Allison, 76, who lives opposite the proposed fence, told The Sun the building plan is ‘outrageous’ and ‘goes much, much further’ than the original development plans.
Mr Allison, noting that residents are ‘not happy’ with the proposal said: ‘I think the city planners need to keep a tight rein on Soho House.’
Builder Gerry Merritt, 64, called the development a ‘mission creep’ and said the club has put ‘all sorts of junk on the roofs’ such as a pizza oven chimney, boiler outlets and air-in take units.
He alleged it ‘looks a complete mess’. He also claimed that Soho House’s desire to ‘obscure’ their members with gates and plants does ‘go against what the planners gave them permission for’.
Mr Merritt also called on the city council planners to ‘show some backbone’.
Elaine Craig, Doug Allison and Gerry Merritt (pictured left to right) are ‘not happy’ with the proposal and have called on the city council planners to take action against the club
Soho House seeks to give members a ‘home away from home’ in more than 38 locations around the world. Pictured: Soho Beach House
Locals are now slamming the development plans, claiming the 10-metre gap between the two buildings that offers a beautiful view to residents and tourists alike should remain accessible to all. Pictured: A view of the gap in question
Similarly, neighbourhood resident Elaine Craig called on the council to reject the Brighton and Hove planning application.
‘Make no mistake Soho House is expensive and is elitist. We have a Labour-controlled council and councillors should prove they believe in equality by rejecting this application,’ she told the newspaper.
‘People are getting quite angry about this as they as there will be further encroachments and intrusions into the terms of the original planning application and we’re just not going to stand for it.’
One resident added: ‘Not good for many residents to benefit a few affluent people,’ one resident commented on the Brighton and Hove planning application.
‘This is not what Labour and the residents in this city support which was evident in local elections. Let’s tackle inequalities together.’
Another echoed: ‘The beauty of the seafront is to be able to stroll and look out to sea, not their fence, which is giving their paying private member clients a lovely vista whilst taking away the view from everyone else.
‘The sea front should be protected as a valuable part of Brighton’s heritage and not for sale to the highest bidder.’
Locals fear the fence could block idyllic sea views and even lower property values in the area
Pictured: Soho House Brighton
Pictured: A dining area at Soho House Brighton
Other residents are also concerned the fence could lower property prices in the area. One complained: ‘I would not have bought my apartment if I had known.’
Another added: ‘This proposed 2m fence would remove a sea view totally and devalue our property with immediate effect.’
A spokesman for Soho House assured the proposed gates and railing will actually ‘preserve’ Brighton’s iconic sea view.
They told MailOnline: ‘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.’
MailOnline has approached Brighton and Hove Council for comment.
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