ONE of Brighton Fringe’s standout events has been cancelled – after the council refused planning permission.

Shiny Town, a collection of stages, venues and food stalls, was due to be set up in Brighton’s Royal Pavilion Gardens from May 25 to June 4.

Organisers had hailed it as a “place like no other” where there would be a “packed programme of live entertainment”.

It had been planned to be centred around a town square with outdoor stages, an artificial lake and numerous food stalls and bars with the Regency palace as the backdrop.

Dozens of performances were scheduled including from Brighton artist Boogaloo Stu and cabaret from The Dream Engine group.

However, all have had to be cancelled after Brighton and Hove City Council refused the planning application.

The application was received by the planning department on January 16 this year.

Organisers did not receive the refusal until April 26 – just nine days before the start of the Fringe.

Planning officers said of their decision that Shiny Town would “cumulatively form an unduly obstructive feature” which would “fail to enhance the views of the Royal Pavilion”.

They added: “It would significantly harm the character and setting of the listed building and gardens, and the wider Valley Gardens conservation area.

“Additionally there is the potential for harm to the fabric of the Royal Pavilion.”

Shiny Town organisers said they were “enormously disappointed” but vowed to bring the attraction to the city in the future.

A spokesman said: “We have always been aware of the sensitivity of the Grade I listed building and the Regency gardens and we had worked hard to produce a design that we believed was sympathetic and complementary to the heritage and significance of such an important landmark.

“Unfortunately on this occasion it hasn’t worked out for us.”

A Fringe spokesman added: “We are very disappointed to hear that Shiny Town will not be a part of this year’s Brighton Fringe and are in the process of informing and fully refunding anyone who had booked tickets to see shows there.

“We are always looking to involve venues and producers that will bring new artists and events to Brighton, so have worked hard over the past two years on it and were looking forward to the exciting programme Shiny Town had planned.

“We hope to welcome them to Brighton Fringe in the future and in the meantime look forward to working with more than 150 venues.”