Residents and community campaigners say they are furious over plans to convert substantial parts of Brighton’s former Sports & Social Club into a mosque and Islamic learning centre.
The proposals for 16 Lewes Road are contained in planning application BH2026/01449, which is awaiting consideration by Brighton & Hove City Council.
Opponents have launched the Keep 16 Lewes Road as a Community Asset campaign, arguing that the building should remain a secular and broadly accessible venue serving residents and organisations from across the city.
The application proposes changing 293 square metres of existing F2 community floorspace to F1 use. The former club contains a hall, stage, bars, lounge and dance floor, as well as other spaces capable of accommodating performances, meetings, workshops and community events.
Campaigners fear that Brighton could permanently lose another flexible and affordable cultural venue.
Residents demand answers over public access
Residents opposing the application say they are particularly angry about what they regard as a lack of consultation with the wider community.
The campaign claims the submitted documents do not provide a clear programme of activities for the wider public or explain whether rooms would be available for community hire.
Opponents also want details of proposed prices, booking arrangements, governance and the organisation that would ultimately control and operate the mosque and learning centre.
Their objection is not simply to a change of use, campaigners say, but to the potential loss of a neutral venue capable of hosting numerous cultural, recreational and social activities.
Steve Peake, director of The Synergy Centre, which previously attempted to acquire the building, said: “16 Lewes Road is an unusually valuable community asset. It already has the physical infrastructure for performance, social activity, meetings, workshops, recreation and community events.
“The issue is what Brighton loses if that flexible space becomes primarily a specialist faith facility. The application gives us no convincing evidence that people outside the Muslim community would continue to have meaningful access to the building, any involvement in its governance, or any influence over its programme.”
He added that there appeared to have been “virtually no outreach” to the wider community.
“Once flexible and affordable community and cultural spaces disappear in Brighton, they are extraordinarily difficult to replace,” he said.
Alternative proposal failed to secure funding
The Synergy Centre previously submitted a bid to purchase the former club and turn it into an inclusive cultural, educational and wellbeing centre.
Its offer was initially accepted by the vendor, subject to finance and completion. However, the organisation was unable to secure the necessary funding within the transaction timetable.
Campaigners argue that the bid nevertheless demonstrated demand for retaining the premises as a broad community facility.
They contend that Brighton & Hove City Plan Policy DM9 protects community facilities and requires applicants proposing their loss to demonstrate that suitable replacement provision exists, that the facility is no longer needed or that there is no demand for an alternative community use.
Opponents claim the present application has not adequately satisfied those tests.
The application also refers to five rooms intended to provide occasional sleeping accommodation, another element campaigners believe requires further explanation.
Council will consider the application
No decision has yet been made, and the proposals will be assessed through Brighton & Hove City Council’s planning process. The applicants will have the opportunity to answer objections and provide further information about access, management and the building’s proposed community role.
Planning decisions must be based on relevant land-use considerations rather than the religious identity of an applicant or prospective users.
The campaign is encouraging residents, community groups and cultural organisations to submit representations through the council’s official planning application service, quoting BH2026/01449.
Information about the opposition campaign is also being shared through its community Facebook group.
Planning application: BH2026/01449
Address: 16 Lewes Road, Brighton, BN2 3HP
