A DECISION on whether to build nine flats on top of an architecturally significant former perfume factory has been put on hold.

Brighton and Hove City Council’s planning committee has delayed making a decision on the proposed development on the roof of the former Dubarry factory alongside Hove Station pending a site visit.

It means a decision on whether to grant permission for a range of one, two and three-bedroom flats on the roof of Hove Business Centre will be delayed until next month’s committee meeting.

A number of residents oppose the scheme and have received support from Green ward councillor Rob Jarrett as well as Labour and Conservative council candidates.

Concerns range from a loss of light to gardens overlooked by the factory to concerns about noise nuisance for the occupants from dance studios below.

At the planning meeting yesterday, resident Rob Miller claimed that overshadowing and noise reports included with the application were “misleading” and “riddled with errors”.

Mr Miller claimed that noise assessments were carried out during half-term, when the studios were not heavily used, and where classes were about a third of usual occupancy.

Architect Nigel McMillan said noise studies had been carried out over ten days, while lighting reports had been carried out by independent consultants and showed a reduction of light of only 9% – half the maximum loss allowed.

Brighton and Hove City Council officials gave their backing to the plans prior to the meeting.