Brighton: Tent city returns to Hove beach near King Alfred

The camp was set up near the King Alfred leisure centre in Hove before the bank holiday weekend.

It comes just a few months after Brighton and Hove City Council removed an illegal encampment near the West Pier - dubbed Tent City - after a battle with the occupants that lasted for months.

The tents are set up near the promenade (Image: Andrew Gardner / The Argus)

Locals complained of antisocial behaviour coming from the new camp over the long weekend with rubbish and a fire spotted nearby.

When The Argus visited on Tuesday, nobody was inside the tents to speak to.

Some tents were first spotted at the start of April alongside beach huts near Hove Lawns but the number of tents has grown since the move to near the King Alfred.

The tents blocked the entrance to some beach huts (Image: Supplied)

One beach hut owner said: "It’s very uncomfortable sitting outside the beach hut near to these tents. I dread to think what visitors will think."

Another added: "It is obviously a shame that people need to live in tents but it does nothing to enrich the vibe of the city which is sadly going downhill."

Read more: Homeless encampment torn down 'as fast as possible', says council bosses

Three of the four tents on the beach (Image: Andrew Gardner / The Argus)

The council said it is aware of the tents and its occupants - who are being supported to find placement in more permanent housing. The council has given them an official notice to leave.

"They have been advised to be tidy and respectful and no camping notices have been served," a spokesman said.

"We will continue to monitor their progress in moving into accommodation and aim to have the situation resolved as soon as possible.”

Council officials removing a tent last year (Image: Andrew Gardner / The Argus)

A community protection notice was handed to the dwellers of the encampment near the West Pier last year.

This forced them to leave the site or face a conviction and hefty fines. It was finally destroyed by council officials after six weeks on the beach.

Camping equipment, food and even a baseball bat were taken away from the beach as part of a full clean-up promised by the council once the campers were moved on.