A Brighton fish and chip shop must remove its unique tiled front after losing a planning appeal
Brighton: A fish and chip shop owner is in a bit of a pickle after losing a planning appeal. Moussa Salama, who runs Fish and Chips on Preston Street, has to take down his colorful tiled shopfront.
He tried to fight the decision made by Brighton and Hove City Council, which rejected his application to keep the shopfront as it is. The council said the design just didn’t fit in with the area.
Now, he’s got to remove the eye-catching tiles, a metal flue, and a glass balustrade. He even appealed against an enforcement notice from the council, but it didn’t go his way.
The council’s decision came from officials, not the elected councillors. They felt the shopfront was poorly designed and clashed with the character of Preston Street.
Heritage officials were also not on board, pointing out that the shop is in the Regency Square Conservation Area, right across from a listed building. They argued that the new design didn’t blend well with the historic vibe of the area.
In his appeal, Mr. Salama claimed that the conservation area mainly focuses on nearby Regency Square, not Preston Street. He argued that the shopfront’s design gives off a fun, seaside feel, perfect for its location near Brighton beach.
He mentioned that Preston Street is a lively spot, especially in the evenings, and that a flashy design fits right in with the bustling atmosphere.
However, the planning inspector, Andrew Steen, disagreed. He said the tiles were too prominent and detracted from the character of the conservation area. He felt the materials used didn’t preserve the historical significance of the nearby listed buildings.
In the end, it looks like Mr. Salama will have to rethink his shopfront design to comply with the council’s wishes.
