Residents are moving into newly built council homes at Robert Lodge in Whitehawk.
Nine one-bedroom rented flats have been built on the site of a former housing office off Whitehawk Road by Brighton & Hove City Council.
The development is part of the council’s New Homes for Neighbourhoods programme which is aiming to build at least 500 new council homes on council-owned land, to provide much needed affordable housing in the city. (See notes to editors)
Councillor Anne Meadows, chair of Brighton & Hove City Council’s Housing and New Homes committee, welcomed the first tenants and officially opened the development, called Robert Lodge South.
The scheme includes a wheelchair accessible flat, a lift, and secure storage for cycles and mobility scooters. Residents already living in 70 existing council flats at Robert Lodge were involved in consultation on the development and their feedback helped to shape features of the final design. This includes a new look for the communal gardens, with new trees and seats, which will be enjoyed by new and existing residents of Robert Lodge.
The building project also created opportunities for apprentice plumbers and electricians with contractors working on the site, through the council’s Local Employment Scheme.
Cllr Meadows said: “This is the latest scheme to be completed under the council’s New Homes for Neighbourhoods programme, which is building much needed new homes for rent on council land, and we are delighted to welcome the new residents.
“The programme is also about working with local residents to improve their neighbourhood, and we are grateful for the support and input we have received from people already living at Robert Lodge before and during construction.”
The flats replace an old prefab office building which previously housed Manor Place housing office, this service has moved to Whitehawk Community Hub. They have been let to eligible applicants from the council’s Homemove choice-based lettings system.
Now work on Robert Lodge South is complete, work is starting on six more flats at the other end of the site. Robert Lodge North will be a mix of one and two bedroom flats and is due to completed by the end of the year.
Pictured are Cllr Anne Meadows with new Robert Lodge residents Tekin Akkurt (left) and Sylviane Cayrol (right).
Notes to Editors:
The New Homes for Neighbourhoods programme is aiming to build at least 500 new council homes by 2020. Other developments where work is currently on site, or in the pipeline include:
- Work started on 57 new homes in Findon Road, Whitehawk, last month and is due to be complete in autumn 2017
- Four new family houses on the site of former garages in Hardwick Road, Hangleton are due to be ready by the summer
- Four new family houses are being built on former garage sites in Flint Close, Portslade and four more are planned for Foredown Road
- Work is underway on 45 extra care flats and communities facilities at Brooke Mead in Albion Street for older people, and should be ready by summer 2017.
- Five new homes are being built in Ardingly Street, Kemp Town and are due to be completed this summer
- 29 new homes are being proposed for the Wellsbourne site in Whitehawk Road
- 27 new homes are being proposed for the site of the former housing office at Selsfield Drive by Lewes Road
- A planning application is being prepared for 12 new homes in the North Laine
- Four small council owned sites are included in a Royal Institute of British Architecture Design Competition, with winners to be announced this April.
- And other former or underused garage and infill sites on council housing land
People currently on the council’s housing register, including council tenants who need to move to a home that meets their current needs, can apply for homes built under the New Homes for Neighbourhoods programme, through the council’s Homemove choice-based lettings system.
Further information: Brighton & Hove City Council press office press@brighton-hove.gov.uk