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Furious residents have slammed a world-famous private members club following its plans to build a six-foot-high fence along Brighton‘s seafront.
The exclusive Soho House has put forward plans to erect so-called ‘boundary treatment’ along the city’s coastline which includes a divisive painted iron wall.
This feature comes as a privacy measure for its local club members who can pay up to £1,300 per year for access if they are under 27, or £2,750 if they are older.
But some claim the plan benefits just ‘a few affluent people’ amidst fears it will block idyllic sea views for many others.
‘Not good for many residents to benefit a few affluent people,’ one resident commented on the Brighton and Hove planning application.
The exclusive Soho House is planning to erect a painted iron fence along Brighton’s coast
‘This is not what Labour and the residents in this city support which was evident in local elections. Let’s tackle inequalities together.’
Another added: ‘The beauty of the seafront is to be able to stroll and look out to sea, not their fence, which is giving their paying private member clients a lovely vista whilst taking away the view from everyone else.
‘The sea front should be protected as a valuable part of Brighton’s heritage and not for sale to the highest bidder.’
Soho House seeks to give members a ‘home away from home’ in more than 38 locations around the world.
Another entrance and moveable planters with ‘spikey plants’ are intended to be additional features of the controversial plans it has put forward.
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‘The revised plans for the north elevation now propose a new bespoke railing and gate pattern influenced by early 20th century style (in keeping with the approach taken for the redevelopment of this site),’ the application reads.
‘This is proposed to be limited in length, aligned to respect the form of the new development and set away from the existing listed railings to the north.
‘The design would also enable views through to the sea. This solution is considered acceptable to secure access to the property.’
Locals fear this could block idyllic sea views and even lower property values in the area
Other residents are also concerned the fence could lower property prices in the area.
One complained: ‘I would not have bought my apartment if I had known that they would be allowed to flout the planning permission and get away with it.’
Another added: ‘This proposed 2m fence would remove a sea view totally and devalue our property with immediate effect.’
A spokesman for Soho House assured the proposed gates and railing will actually ‘preserve’ Brighton’s iconic sea view.
They told The Telegraph: ‘Most of our members live locally and working in partnership with the community is important to us. The proposed installation of the ornate slim metal profile gates and railing will preserve the sea view from Marine Parade.’
MailOnline has approached Soho House and Brighton and Hove Council for comment.
Source: | This article originally belongs to Dailymail.co.uk
