Brighton and Hove Albion fan zone plan approved

Brighton & Hove Albion’s plans for a fan zone have been given the green light by councillors.

The application received unanimous backing when it went before Brighton & Hove City Council’s planning committee on Wednesday.

The plans include a two-storey event area serving food and drink, as well as more space for shops, toilets and storage.

The new building will replace the existing kiosks close to the railway line at Amex Stadium in Falmer.

The meeting was told that Dick’s Bar was expected to remain open as a pre-turnstile bar in the short term before being incorporated into the new fan zone.

Labour councillor Jacob Allen said: “It’s increasingly an element incorporated in [stadium] design. Fans can spend time before and after matches that isn’t just piling on trains and into local pubs.

“There’s one in Falmer village that gets quite busy only during match days.”

The zone would also be used to screen matches and for other events, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

One objector had been concerned that more fans would come to the area and Brighton & Hove Independent councillor Mark Earthey asked about this.

He was told the fan zone was not expected to bring more people in and it would be used by those already attending a match.

Labour councillor Julie Cattell also asked about a proposed green wall and was told this would be covered by a planning condition.

Noise concerns for nearby students was raised but Labour councillor Paul Nann, who works at Sussex University, said they did not think pupils would complain.

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