A CONTROVERSIAL £30 million scheme to redevelop the King Alfred Leisure Centre in Hove is to go ahead after the Government decided not to intervene.

In September, Brighton and Hove Council approved plans by developers Citygrove Leisure for 11 cinemas, a casino, a sports hall, a health and fitness centre, restaurants, bars and parking at the centre in Kingsway.

The existing swimming pools, added in 1982, will be renovated, but the old King Alfred will be demolished.

Campaigners against the scheme, including Conservative councillors and many local residents, hoped the Government would call in the plans and overturn the

council's decision.

But the Government Office for the South East decided there was no need to intervene and the council's vote stands.

Citygrove Leisure expects the new centre to open in less than two years.

Toby Baines, the company's managing director, said: "It's fantastic news. There's a long way to go because we've got to get all the bits and pieces in place.

"We would certainly be expecting to start the building work by June next year and it will open by early autumn of 2001."

Hove MP Ivor Caplin said: "This is a very important decision.

Crucial

"The introduction of cinemas to a town of our size is absolutely crucial and will help the regeneration of the seafront.

"There are going to be 300 new jobs for local people and that is a very important by-product."

The London-based developers submitted an earlier scheme for the 60-year-old King Alfred site.

But they were forced to drop plans for a nightclub and make other changes after strong opposition from residents at a packed public meeting a year ago.

Their new scheme provoked more than 900 representations to the council, roughly half in favour and half against.

Councillors imposed conditions, including a £400,000 package to improve transport links.

Mr Baines said: "Our style is to get involved with the local community. The first scheme was very ambitious and we took due regard of the concerns of local people."

Labour councillor Ian Duncan, executive councillor for arts, recreation and tourism, said: "We are thrilled with the Government's decision."

But opponents of the scheme, including Westbourne ward Tory councillors Denise Cobb, Ted Kemble and Brian Oxley, said it would increase traffic, pollution and parking problems.

Coun Geoffrey Theobald, Tory leader, said: "The development is too large. We don't think there is any need for it.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.