A PETITION has been launched to save two developments at a seafront venue.

Luke Davis, owner of the Rockwater development in Hove, fears that his seafront igloos and beach huts could be shut down following objections from a group of residents over his planning application.

He is now urging Brighton and Hove City Council to consider his petition, which has now amassed more than 9,000 signatures.

“Rockwater has always been focused primarily on the community and they’ve really taken it into their heart,” Mr Davis said.

“There is so much support out there for us and I want to be able to show that to both licensing and the council.

“Almost 10,000 people have said they love Rockwater, the beach huts and the igloos and the petition may even reach 20,000 signatures.

“You can’t argue against that, it’s a huge number of people.”

Mr Davis applied to Brighton and Hove City Council in August for a series of alterations, including a first floor extension on the roof of the main Rockwater development.

He said he has concerns that the application is being opposed by “a very small group of residents” who “want to shut down” the beach huts and igloos.

He said: “I’m all for conversations, fair objections, disagreements and I expect that. But this could cost me and the business a lot of money.

"There is uncertainty about whether we can keep the igloos and that will have direct cost implications.”

Venture capitalist Mr Davis said that closing the installations would have “ramifications” throughout the community.

He said: “We only use local suppliers, so if we were restricted by how many people we could hire and the revenue we could generate, that would impact the whole community.”

In a statement, Brighton and Hove City Council said they are currently reviewing an application to allow the seafront shacks to serve alcohol until 10pm on a permanent basis. 

A council spokeswoman said: "An application has been made for the seafront shacks at Rockwater to serve alcohol until 10pm on a permanent basis.

"The application has been advertised, with a notice on the premises and in the Argus.

"No decision has been taken at this stage and we are currently in a 28 day consultation period which ends on December 4.

"Details are available in the licensing register on our website: https://licensingregister.brighton-hove.gov.uk/licences"