Plans to demolish sports facility withdrawn for time being
An application to demolish Hove Fitness and Squash centre due to its deteriorating condition had been submitted to Brighton and Hove City Council on January 9.
The plans were submitted by Entain PLC, an international betting company which owns brands such as Coral, Ladbrokes, PartyPoker and Sportingbet.
The complex, which is situated on Orchard Road, is made up of three interconnected structures, some of which contain reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) planks in the walls and roof.
These buildings, according to the applicant, are in significant disrepair, containing hazardous materials such as asbestos cement sheet roof coverings.
The RAAC panel roof is currently temporarily propped up to prevent it from collapsing.
The building has also been subject to repeated unauthorised entry and squatting, posing a live health and safety risk.
The applicant had planned to demolish it, as they deemed it unsafe and uneconomical to repair.
However, they withdrew their application on February 3.
The plans had received a number of objections from the community, who highlighted the importance of the facility to the area.
One objection read: "There is no longer a squash facility in Hove. This is a huge loss for the local community.
"Destroying a much-loved club can only be detrimental to the local community."
Another objector highlighted the fact that squash is due to become an Olympic event and said that it was a "deplorable decision to close the only facility in the town."
Hove Fitness Club has since moved to a new premises on St Heliers Avenue, off Portland Road.
It is not yet known whether plans to demolish the facility have been permanently or only temporarily shelved.
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