Consultation launches on plans to enhance green spaces in Hove

Residents are being asked for their views on plans to protect and enhance the green spaces between the King Alfred Leisure Centre and Hove Lagoon.

The Council is working with community organisations to develop a project to regenerate the underused and run-down spaces on the seafront in West Hove.

The scheme plans on remodelling the green spaces, improving biodiversity and providing leisure and sports facilities which address the needs and wants of residents.

The Council has launched a public consultation to find out how the space is currently being used and what local people would like to see.

Cllr Martin Osborne, co-chair of the Tourism, Equalities, Communities and Culture Committee, said: ‘We know how much residents value these green spaces and would like to see them improved and updated. By taking part in this consultation, you can help us understand how we will best provide a safe and attractive green space which benefits everyone.’

The Council will be holding a drop-in event in September, where landscape architects and council officers will be available to answer questions and receive comments, ideas and feedback.

Work on the project began in 2018 when the West Hove Forum approached the council to work on plans to develop the area, and since then the Council has worked with the West Hove Seafront Action Group (WHSAG) to deliver the scheme.

The Council has also commissioned landscape architects Untitled Practice to create an initial design to help shape discussions with the WHSAG.

Feedback from the consultation will be used to produce the concept design which will be shared and developed with the stakeholder group and considered by the Council’s Tourism, Equalities, Communities and Culture Committee early next year.

More information about the consultation, including how to take part, can be found here.

In related news, the Mayor of London has announced a new £6m investment to improve green spaces across London, as part of London Climate Action week.

Photo by Rhys Kentish