The demolition of an underground bowling alley to make way for a new leisure centre has been approved.
Brighton and Hove City Council is planning to build the centre next to the King Alfred Leisure Centre in Kingsway on land currently home to its car park and an underground bowling alley.
In December, plans to demolish the bowling alley were submitted,which have now been approved.
The demolition work is expected to begin in April, according to the council website.
There were 22 objections submitted against the plans, with eight comments issued in support.
An asbestos survey has been carried out at the site with “high quantities of asbestos-containing debris being identified within ceiling voids, beneath the main bowling alley structures and as loose contamination on several floor areas”.
These areas are all closed off to staff and the public.
Contractors stripped the walls, ceilings, floor coverings and soft furnishings to safely remove the asbestos.
The 22-lane bowling alley was in operation from 1960 to 1989 and was then turned into a laser tag venue. It has been closed since 1999.
The decision to demolish the bowling alley was made on Monday, February 2.
An application was made to list the existing King Alfred Leisure Centre, however this was refused in January.
Following the decision, Councillor Alan Robins, cabinet member for sports, recreation and libraries, said: “Many people have great affection for the King Alfred, and I understand why. It’s played a big part in our city’s life.
“But the reality is that the building simply can’t be refurbished to the standard our residents deserve. The decision from Historic England gives us the clarity we need to move forward and fully focus on redeveloping the site for the west of the city.
“We’ve waited a long time for a new leisure centre for this part of Brighton and Hove, and this year we’ve made real progress, appointing Alliance Leisure, assembling the project team and securing approval to demolish the existing facility so we can redevelop the site with a modern centre.”
