On March 20, Brighton and Hove City Council environment committee will consider what is arguably the most important planning document in the city since the 1960s. Innocuously titled Pan04 (Planning Advisory Note 04), it will decide the future of Brighton Marina and the physical form of the city in the 21st century.

If city planners and developers such as Explore Living have their way the marina will be transformed into a densely populated housing estate with at least seven tower blocks, two of which will be taller than Sussex Heights. Views of the Brighton to Newhaven cliffs will be obliterated and the undercliff path will be overshadowed by ten-storey apartments in a 350-metre long superblock. The existing transport infrastructure will be stretched to the limit.

The previous Labourcontrolled council condoned the marina becoming more densely populated and pushed through an application by Brunswick Developments for a 40-storey tower and four other towers, against enormous local opposition.

It will be interesting to see if the Conservative-controlled council continues on the same trajectory or if it heeds the cries of the citizens who voted them into office and sends Pan04 back to the drawing board.

  • Robert Powell, Marine Gate Action Group Marine Drive Brighton