Norton Road car park is near the end of its life, and a rebuild is favoured

The multistorey car park on Norton Road in Hove, opposite Hove Town Hall, is coming to the end of its working life. The council expects to close it for good within the next 12 months and then knock it down, subject to a formal decision and planning permission.

It was built in the 1970s. Structural engineering assessments found it is approaching the end of its operational life. The council says it is still safe to use, and engineers review its condition every month.

What replaces it is not settled. The option the council favours is a new, modern car park on the same site. It also looked at housing, but says the size of the site and planning constraints would limit what could be built, so homes would not be good value for money in the long term.

Councillor Trevor Muten, the cabinet member for transport and city infrastructure, said: “At this stage, replacing the existing facility with a modern car park appears to be the strongest option.” He added: “However, all options remain on the table, and we’ll consider them all before any final decision is made.”

A report setting out the options, potential costs and recommendations is due before the Labour-run council’s cabinet in December. Cabinet’s only December meeting is at 10.30am on Thursday 10 December at Hove Town Hall, and its agenda will be published the week before. The council says whether there is a public consultation, and what it covers, depends on what cabinet decides.

The catch is a gap in parking in a part of Hove where off-street spaces are already scarce. The council does not yet know how long the site will be shut. In the meantime it points drivers to its King Alfred and Regency Square car parks and to on-street parking in central Hove, and is considering adding on-street spaces, though nothing has been decided.

Drivers will get advance notice of any closure date so they can move their cars. Permits and season tickets for Norton Road will stop being valid when it closes, and the council will contact holders directly about refunds. It does not yet know whether Norton Road itself will need to be restricted during the works.

Questions about the project can go through the council’s parking services contact form, choosing Car park enquiries, then Norton Road, then Norton Road project enquiry.