Council leader comes out in support of new Albion hotel

The hotel, which would be located outside the American Express Community Stadium, will be discussed at a planning committee next Wednesday.

Albion bosses were left flabbergasted by a report by Brighton and Hove City Council’s planning officers who recommended the committee members reject the proposal.

It is understood one of the main objections is that it would restrict people’s views of The Amex from Lewes.

Labour's councillor Morgan said: "The proposed hotel at the stadium would, in my view, bring tremendous benefit to the city.

“Serving the football club and the universities at a key point on the A27 would enable far greater use of their facilities for conferences, adding to our local capacity and helping retain business when we transition between the Brighton Centre and new arena at Black Rock."

The proposal also including a cancer treatment centre which was to be located under the hotel.

Councillor Warren Morgan, leader of Brighton and Hove City Council Councillor Warren Morgan, leader of Brighton and Hove City Council

Cllr Morgan added: "It would be of huge benefit to NHS patients, giving them an alternative while major redevelopment work is underway at the Sussex County.

“There would also be a benefit to the city in terms of jobs, and the football club financially as it looks to win promotion to the Premier League."

However, he said he did not want to interfere in the planning process.

He added: “The committee must, of course, be allowed to come to its own independent conclusions on the merits of the scheme.

“However, I hope that efforts to overcome the planning issues are successful and that the planning committee are able to give this project the go-ahead when it comes before them."

If the hotel was to be built, it would create 82 new jobs and add £5.8 million to the local economy every year.