Hove’s Norton Road multi-storey car park is expected to close within the next 12 months as the council considers demolishing the ageing building and replacing it with a new parking facility.
Brighton & Hove City Council says the structure, built in the 1970s opposite Hove Town Hall, remains safe to use. A final closure date has yet to be set, and demolition would require planning permission.
A report on the site’s future is expected to go before Cabinet members in December 2026. The council has considered housing, but its initial assessment favours retaining parking because the site’s size and planning constraints would limit residential development.
When would Norton Road car park close?
In its announcement on 5 November, the council said closure was expected within 12 months, subject to its formal decision-making process. That points to a closure by around November 2027, although drivers have yet to be given a confirmed date.
Specialist structural engineers inspect and assess the building, with its condition reviewed monthly. The council says it will act if future inspections show it can no longer operate safely.
The length of any closure remains unknown. The council has yet to publish a demolition or rebuilding timetable, and the December decision is expected to make the next steps clearer. Those arrangements matter to people using the car park for central Hove’s shops, workplaces and services, as well as visitors heading towards the seafront.
Why is a replacement car park being considered?
The council argues that central Hove has limited off-street parking and that a modern replacement would help maintain access to local businesses and facilities. Its announcement describes a new car park as the strongest option currently being explored, while stressing that a final decision has still to be made.
Councillor Trevor Muten, Cabinet member for Transport and City Infrastructure, said: “As the current structure reaches the end of its operational life, we have a responsibility to plan ahead.”
He said retaining parking would support businesses and provide an opportunity to build a more efficient and sustainable facility. He added: “However, all options remain on the table, and we’ll consider them all before any final decision is made.”
Housing has also been assessed. The council says the size of the land and planning constraints would restrict what could be delivered, making that option poor long-term value in its current assessment. The forthcoming Cabinet report is expected to set out options, potential costs and recommendations.
What happens to permits, season tickets and vehicles?
Permit and season-ticket holders will be contacted directly about how a closure would affect them. Their Norton Road permits and tickets would cease to be valid after the closure date, with information about refunds and other arrangements to follow closer to the time.
Drivers will receive advance notice to remove vehicles before a confirmed closure. For vehicles left afterwards, the council says it would contact registered owners and that removal or storage costs could be charged.
Whether future works would require restrictions on Norton Road itself is also undecided. The council says residents, businesses and other affected people would be informed in advance if restrictions were needed.
Where could drivers park during the closure?
The council identifies King Alfred and Regency Square car parks, along with on-street parking in central Hove, as alternatives. Additional on-street provision is being considered as part of measures to reduce the impact of closure, with decisions still to come.
The King Alfred site has its own redevelopment programme, so parking arrangements there will also need checking as work progresses. Our King Alfred redevelopment guide explains the published plans and timetable.
The requirement for public consultation on Norton Road, and its scope, will depend on the outcome of the council’s decision process. Further updates are due on the project page as proposals develop.
Archive photograph taken in January 2017 by Hassocks5489, via Wikimedia Commons, CC0.
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