New council homes completed early
Thirty new council homes have been completed in Selsfield Drive, Brighton, the latest in the council’s New Homes for Neighbourhoods building programme.
The development, called Hawkridge Court, is made up of 14 one-bedroom and 16 two-bedroom flats, including two wheelchair accessible homes.
The properties are being let to people on the council’s housing register and residents will begin moving in this autumn.
The homes are built on the site of a former housing office and have been completed five weeks ahead of schedule, despite the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic.
The building, which is constructed to high energy and water efficiency standards, includes solar PV at roof level and integrates a sustainable urban drainage system.
Facilities include cycle storage and there is also a small garden for residents and visitors, with wildflower planting and raised beds.
We are grateful to residents living nearby on the Bates Estate for their patience and understanding while building work was in progress.
New Homes for Neighbourhoods
New Homes for Neighbourhoods is building much-needed council homes across the city.
A total of 241 new council homes have been built on empty or under-used council owned sites since 2015 and more are planned.
Twelve flats were completed in Buckley Close, Hangleton, this summer and in 2021 work will start on 42 homes in Victoria Road, Portslade and four in Frederick Street in the North Laine.
Under the joint Green and Labour programme in the last 18 months, 135 additional council homes have been achieved towards the target of 800 more homes, including those bought under the Homes Purchase Policy.
Helping tackle the shortage of affordable housing
Councillor David Gibson, joint chair of the Housing Committee, said: “These high quality council-rented homes are part of our ambitious plans to provide 800 more council homes to help tackle the city’s shortage of affordable housing.
“Despite Covid-19, since agreeing our joint programme with Labour, we have achieved 135 additional council owned homes over 18 months.
“The flats look very attractive on the outside and I can’t wait to see inside and hear from the new tenants what difference the flats will make to their lives.
“We have over 8,000 people on the housing waiting list, these new homes mean we can house 30 more households needing a secure stable home”
Councillor Gill Williams, the opposition lead for housing, said: “It’s great to see these lovely new council flats completed early.
“Council staff and contractors worked hard to keep the development on track and maintain safety on the construction site, in line with Covid-19 restrictions.
“Every new council home makes a vital difference in tackling the city’s housing crisis.”
Guy Hannell, Morgan Sindall Construction’s Southern Home Counties area director, said: “We are delighted to be handing over this important scheme for the city, providing affordable, high-quality council housing for residents
“Despite working under challenging conditions, the whole project team has done a fantastic job and has worked strategically to plan ahead and ensure minimal disruption to the project – enabling the completed development to be handed over five weeks ahead of schedule.
“Morgan Sindall Construction is committed to working with the communities at the heart of our projects to ensure minimal disruption to the lives of those neighbouring the site, and ensure the impact of social value is felt by local residents.
“We look forward to continuing our close working relationship with Brighton & Hove City Council, our subcontractors and supply chain.”
For more information on our New Homes for Neighbourhoods scheme building council homes for rent in the city, visit www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/nhfn.
