Brighton’s Amex Stadium Gets Expansion Approval

April 26, 2012

Brighton & Hove Albion have received permission from Brighton & Hove City Council to expand the Amex stadium adding over 8000 seats and build a large temporary car park serving the ground.

The twin planning applications were both granted this afternoon with the capacity increasing at the stadium by 8250 – from 22,500 to 30,750.

Crucial to expanding the ground was a separate application to turn land from the former Falmer High School into car parking. Councillors granted permission for four years, subject to a number of conditions aimed at reducing the impact of vehicles and minimising disturbance to neighbours.

The consent also requires the Albion to build a replacement for the nearby Bridge Community Centre, to be opened before the car park is constructed.

A condition of installing more seats would be a requirement for the Albion to provide a residents’ parking scheme on match and event days. This would aim to prevent current problems caused by fans’ cars being left on streets in Coldean and Moulsecoomb.

The club has also agreed to improve the capacity of Platform 1 at Falmer station to handle crowds.

Chair of the planning committee Cllr Phelim MacCafferty said: “This is a triple win for the city. The club get their seats, the community centre is replaced and nearby residents get their streets back.

“We’re keen to help the football club and we’ve been creative in ensuring local people are looked after as well.”

Brighton’s chief executive, Martin Perry, said: “We have put pride back into the city, we have put a spring in the step of the city,” said Perry.

“This takes the club forward and we urge you to approve it.”

Only drivers with pre-paid parking tickets will be able to use the car park. It will be available for a limit of 50 matches or events a year. Hours of use are restricted to between 7am and 11.30pm.

A maximum of 680 cars will be allowed. Drivers will be forbidden to use Lucraft Roadfor access, instead entering via a tunnel from the A270.

The South Coast club moved to their new £93million home at Falmer at the beginning of the season in time for the club’s return to the Championship following promotion from League One.

Prior to moving into the new stadium, the Seagulls had been without a home since leaving the Goldstone Ground in 1997.