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A sports stadium has been granted permission to erect temporary stands for the next six years. Sussex County Cricket Club's (SCCC) plans to put up temporary stands, which will be used between May and September each year, have been approved by Brighton and Hove City Council. The club, in central Hove, will now be able to maintain these stands until September 2031.
SCCC's County Ground, in use since 1872, currently accommodates up to 7,000 spectators for cricket matches. The temporary stands, which will be erected each year starting May 1 and taken down before September 30, will provide seating for 2,188 people. The structure of these stands will remain the same as those previously permitted, consisting of a metal framework with staircases for access.
Drawings of the approved temporary stands (Image: ECE Architecture) The club was previously granted a three-year licence to erect temporary stands, but this expires in May 2025. Screens will also be installed at the back of the stands to restrict views into and out of the site. READ NEXT: 'Blimey, it's bad': Albion fans criticize fictional portrayal on ITV's Grace The temporary stands aim to enhance spectator facilities before new permanent stands are constructed, though the ground's capacity will remain at 6,000 spectators, with the licence allowing for up to 7,000.
In August last year, a separate application for two new permanent stands was approved. The club's application emphasised the need for temporary, higher-quality seating, addressing safety concerns about the previously used benches. The stands will provide seating for 2,188 people (Image: ECE Architecture) The council's planning report stated: "The stands have a functional appearance that is appropriate to the site, and would therefore not appear out of context with the wider site.
"The proposed stands are considered suitable additions to the site on a temporary basis that would not unduly harm its appearance. "The height of the stands coupled with suitable separation distances ensures that no harmful impact would result to neighbouring occupiers." A shot of the ground from 1985 (Image: Nick MacNeill) READ NEXT: Plans for glamping site rejected after officers denied site visit Sussex County Cricket Club, one of the oldest professional sports clubs in the UK, has a history dating back to 1839.
The Brighton Gazette reported on the first meeting of the club at Pegg’s Hotel on April 4, 1839, saying that: "We hail with pleasure the formation of a club on so respectable a footing for the promotion of this truly English game.’’ The plans can be viewed using the reference BH2025/00269..
