In June 2024, following a city-wide campaign by residents, Brighton and Hove City Council refused L3Harris planning permission for the extension to their factory. That was a significant victory for people power: the Council were ready to approve the application, and it was residents’ concerns that prompted them to seek legal advice and ultimately to reject the application.
The Council Planning Committee took its decision based on its public sector equality duty: that means that any benefits from the arms company are outweighed by the factory’s negative impact on community cohesion. The presence of the company in the city undermines Brighton’s commitment to being a City of Sanctuary and harms good relations between members of the city community.
The planning application only relates to the extension, not the main factory. And the refusal of planning permission didn’t mean that the company had to tear down the extension immediately. There was a six-month appeal window: L3Harris has now submitted an appeal. The appeal is heard independently by the Planning Inspectorate, not by Brighton and Hove City Council.
Residents have until 8 January to submit comments to the Planning Inspectorate. More information will be available soon about the detail of L3Harris’ appeal.
Come to an open meeting on Thursday 12 December at 6pm at Friends Meeting House to hash out ideas for resisting the arms company!
Brighton Against The Arms Trade 