Sea Lanes proposals for Madeira Drive project unveiled

Sea Lanes Brighton Ltd unveils ambition to create a national open water centre of excellence in Brighton.

The proposed plans will transform the former Peter Pan site on Madeira Drive, Brighton, by delving deep into its history and culture and reviving competitive and recreational sea-swimming on Brighton Seafront.

The vision for the national open water swimming centre starts with a 25m swimming pool and supporting commercial use. The pool, which will be accessible to all, will provide much needed swimming facilities in Brighton, and will act as a gateway for those looking to gain confidence to swim in the sea as well as a training hub for open water swimming events, triathlon, sea safety and lifeguard courses.

The swimming pool will be supported by 39 small business units suitable for retail, health and fitness, office space as well as a food court with street food kiosks and seating area. The plans also include a new purpose-built headquarters for the local business, SwimTrek, a leading adventure swimming holiday company and the winners of the 2017 Queens’ Award for Enterprise.

From late June Sea Lanes Brighton Ltd will be running a pop-up on the site, where the plans for the proposed scheme will be on display for the public to view. The pop-up will also include swim coaching sessions in an endless pool, a pop-up sauna and an open-air events space with an exciting programme of events like silent yoga disco.

Sea Lanes Brighton Ltd is an integral part of the Brighton and Hove community, made up of businesses and individuals that are passionate about open water swimming. They include: members of the Brighton Sea Swimming Club, Copsemill Properties, QED Sustainable Urban Developments and Swim Trek.

Simon Murie, Managing Director, of Swim Trek, said:

“Swim Trek is delighted to be part of the Sea Lanes project reigniting our sea swimming history; it is a wonderful opportunity to shine a light on open water swimming, the fastest growing sport in the UK and we look forward to having the team here. We believe the Sea Lanes development will bring back to the forefront the rich swimming history that made Brighton and Hove the destination for tourists in the 19th Century.”

“Using modular construction and meanwhile use, we will resurrect this much-loved part of the city and offer the local community and tourists a destination that captures the spirit of Brighton, past and present.”

Rich Brett, creative director of We Like Today, the team behind the proposal design, explains

“Drawing on Brighton’s rich and colourful history and dazzling disregard for conformity, Sea Lanes meanwhile scheme can help revitalise the present and shape the future of Madeira Drive. Definitely and defiantly. This is the City with the natural edge.”

Sea Lanes Brighton hope to secure planning permission in Winter 2018 and for the swimming pool to open in Spring 2019. For more information including CGIs and images please visit: www.sealanesbrighton.co.uk