Norton Road car park in Hove is expected to be permanently closed within the next 12 months, Brighton and Hove City Council said on Thursday 5 November 2026, with demolition to follow if planning permission is granted. The council says the plan is subject to its formal decision-making process.
The 152-space multi-storey car park faces Hove Town Hall and is, in the council's words, approaching the end of its operational life. It remains open and, according to the council, safe to use. No closure date has been set, and no final decision has been taken on what replaces it. A report setting out options, costs and recommendations is expected to go to Cabinet in December 2026.
Norton Road car park at a glance
Where: Norton Road, Hove, BN3 3BE, facing Hove Town Hall, a short walk from the seafront and the shops on George Street and Church Road.
Size: 152 spaces in a multi-storey building, with a maximum height of 1.9 metres. Blue Badge holders park free.
Open now: 24 hours a day, with charges between 8am and 8pm every day, according to the council's car park page.
Expected closure: within the next 12 months, with no date confirmed and the plan subject to the council's formal decision.
Next step: a report to Cabinet in December 2026.
Idea being explored: a new, modern car park on the same site.
Why the council says the car park is reaching the end
The car park was built in the 1970s. The council's Norton Road car park project page says a programme of structural engineering assessments has identified that the structure is approaching the end of its operational life.
Specialist structural engineers carry out routine inspections to monitor its condition, and the council says the structure is reviewed every month. While it remains safe, it stays open. The council adds that if future inspections show the car park is no longer safe to operate, appropriate action will be taken.
Councillor Trevor Muten, Cabinet member for Transport and City Infrastructure, said:
"Norton Road Car Park has been an important part of Hove for generations. Thousands of people use it every week, whether they're visiting local shops, supporting businesses, spending time with family and friends, or accessing services in Hove."
"At this stage, replacing the existing facility with a modern car park appears to be the strongest option. Retaining parking provision in this location would continue to support local businesses and the wider economy, while giving us the opportunity to provide a safer, more efficient and more sustainable facility for future generations."
"However, all options remain on the table, and we'll consider them all before any final decision is made."
Councillor Trevor Muten, Cabinet member for Transport and City Infrastructure
What is decided and what is not
Nothing is final. The council says any proposal for a replacement car park, or any other use of the land, would go through its formal decision-making process, including a planning application.
A new car park, or homes?
The proposal the council is looking at most closely is a new car park that would replace the existing building. It argues that Hove has limited off-street parking and that Norton Road supports shops, services, workplaces, the seafront and community facilities nearby.
Housing on the site was also considered. The council says initial assessments indicate homes would not give the best long-term value for the city, because of the size of the site and planning constraints that would limit what could be built there. It describes the car park option as the strongest at this stage, while saying all options remain open until Cabinet decides.
Where to park in Hove instead
The council names two other council car parks as alternatives, King Alfred and Regency Square, as well as on-street parking in central Hove. It says it is considering extra on-street parking as part of measures to reduce the effect of the closure, though no decisions have been made.
King Alfred car park is a surface car park on Hove Street South, BN3 2WW, next to the King Alfred Leisure Centre, with 120 spaces and a 12-hour maximum stay. Regency Square car park is a barrier-controlled multi-storey with 507 spaces, in Brighton at BN1 2FG, open 24 hours and with no lift, according to the council's King Alfred and Regency Square pages.
Prices differ a lot. Using the council's tariffs, four hours costs £6.60 at Norton Road on a weekday (£6.90 at weekends), £7.10 at King Alfred at the winter rate that runs from 1 November to 28 February, and £17.00 at Regency Square at its winter rate. Norton Road and King Alfred charge between 8am and 8pm, while Regency Square is pay on foot.
Permits, season tickets and cars left behind
Permits and season tickets. Norton Road permits and season tickets will not be valid after any closure date. The council says it will contact permit and season ticket holders directly and share details of refunds and any other arrangements closer to the time. It is not currently taking applications for new Norton Road permits, and its renewal form is for existing holders only.
Notice before closing. Subject to the formal decision, the council says it will give advance notice of a confirmed closure date so drivers can remove their vehicles. Any vehicle left after that date will lead to the council contacting the registered owner, and removal and storage costs may be charged to them.
Norton Road itself. The council says it does not yet know whether access to the road will need to be restricted during any demolition or redevelopment, and will tell residents and businesses in advance if it does.
Questions. The council asks people to use its parking services contact form, choosing Car park enquiries, then Norton Road and Norton Road project enquiry.
What happens next
The council says the Cabinet report is expected in December 2026. The council's meetings calendar lists one Cabinet meeting that month, at 10.30am on Thursday 10 December. The council has not said which meeting will take the Norton Road report. The 10 December meeting is already due to consider a bigger budget for the Withdean swimming pool.
Whether there will be a public consultation depends on what Cabinet decides, the council says, and more information will be published on the project page as it becomes available. Closure and demolition would both need further approvals, including planning permission for demolition.
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