Residents are up in arms after a patch of green land was resurfaced and converted into a car park.
Grassy land near Freshfield Avenue in Elm Grove has been covered with aggregate surfacing to convert the field into a permanent car park.
The field, owned by Brighton Racecourse, is often used as a park and ride but now residents are furious that they have lost a green space.
Neighbours have expressed their anger on a retrospective planning application submitted by Brighton Racecourse.
One resident said: “The surfacing of this part of the park and ride racecourse is completely unnecessary and runs totally counter to all efforts to combat climate change.
“It's outrageous that the Racecourse carried out these activities without planning permission. The council should have enforced immediately and required reinstatement to grass.”
Another added: “It was bad enough that vehicles churned up this green space, but then plastic grid surface was laid on top of grass to make it convenient for drivers.
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“Then suddenly it was surfaced and the earth and greenery obliterated. Surely this is unacceptable ruling the earth with plastic which is now there under this surfacing.
“Totally gutting and must go against the protection of a green space.”
The field is often used as a park-and-ride site for Brighton and Hove Albion matches at the Amex Stadium but had otherwise been left as a green space.
Plans submitted by Brighton Racecourse show that the existing grass area was stripped and resurfaced.
Brighton and Hove City Councillor Tim Rowkins, lead member for the environment, said: “They should have got planning permission. That whole area is becoming one big car park.
“The worry is that when you resurface it as a car park it becomes a car park permanently. If it was restored to its former state I hope the damage would be mitigated.”
Brighton Racecourse declined to comment on the planning application.
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