A MASSIVE development at the Sussex County Cricket Ground has been approved.

Brighton and Hove City Councillors voted by seven votes to three to pass the scheme which will build flats and offices at the Eaton Road, Hove, site.

The revamp at the ground  involves demolishing the now-closed Sussex Cricketer pub on the south side of the site along with a house and commercial buildings.

The Argus: The proposed conferencing facility for match day hospitality and all-year event hire as part of Phase 2

Sussex Cricket will replace them with a nine-storey building, including 37 flats, a new pub and restaurant, commercial premises and parking.

In a second phase of the scheme the club will demolish its offices and part of the south west stand.

In its place the club will build a new extension, club shop, reception area, bar, cafe and hospitality area.

Before the meeting, held this afternoon at Hove Town Hall, the committee was recommended to grant permission.

Sussex Cricket chief executive Rob Andrew said: "The County Ground has been based in Hove for nearly 150 years and we are thrilled that this allows us to secure our future here and to continue to deliver our wide-reaching community programmes across Sussex. 

“We want to thank our club members, neighbours, local businesses, amenity and conservation groups as well as the South East Design Panel and council officers for their important input on our plans.”

The club have now been given permission for the detailed plans of the first two phases of the scheme and "outline permission" for the third and forth phases. 

The third phase plans to build two stands in replacement of the informal seating area.

The fourth phase plans to demolish the hospitality area and replace it with a new stand.

The club also consulted conservation and community groups about the project.

By the end of January there were almost 120 letters of support and more than 50 objections to the project on the council’s website.

One supporter wrote: “I fully support this proposal as the Sussex County Ground is an important community asset for Hove and would like to see it remain in Hove.

“Also this development will help create jobs and attract additional funds into Hove.

“I have been going to the County Ground since junior school and this has played a big part in my life.

“I now have the privilege of also taking my children who are having an even greater experience, which will further improve with the proposed development.”

Another supporter said: “The impact on local businesses on T20 days and concert days is a great boost. With this development, this will lead to increased employment and knock-on positive impacts to local businesses.

“It will enable the club to have a business use through hospitality to make use of the ground on more days, enabling cricket and its social benefits to continue within the centre of Hove.”