Proposals for 100 new council-rented homes
Proposals for 4 developments of new council-rented homes are being discussed at the 20 September Housing & New Homes Committee.
If approved, the proposed developments would deliver around 100 one, 2 and 3 bedroom homes on council-owned sites at the former Hollingbury Library site, the former Portslade Village Centre, Swanborough Drive and Oakley House.
Designs have been developed for all 4 sites and, if approved to proceed, will move towards planning applications.
The proposals are the latest in our New Homes for Neighbourhoods building programme, providing much-needed new council homes for rent on council-owned land across the city.
Proposed developments
The redevelopment of the former Hollingbury Library on Carden Hill, Hollingbury, Brighton aims to deliver a mix of up to 10 new one and 2 bedroom council homes. The library was relocated in 2017, and the building needs to be demolished.
The former Portslade Village Centre in Windlesham Close, Portslade could provide a mix of 28 new one, 2 and 3 bedroom homes, alongside a new community space.
The site was identified as part of a review of council-owned assets and is considered suitable for redevelopment to make best use of the under-used land.
The Swanborough Drive proposal is for around 39 new homes on a former play area in north Whitehawk.
A round of ‘Planning for Real’ community engagement took place last year - looking at how the site might be developed to deliver homes and benefit the community – to help inform the project brief.
Architects have been appointed to develop the design proposals, and a further round of community engagement is planned for autumn.
Oakley House, on the junction of Leicester Street and Edward Street, Brighton, currently comprises 6 council homes and a commercial tenant.
Redeveloping the site to provide a new building could deliver a mix of around 23 new one, 2 and 3 bedroom homes.
The occupants have been engaged in the proposals and, if the redevelopment is approved, we will support the current tenants to find and move to new homes.
New Homes for Neighbourhoods
Established in 2013, our New Homes for Neighbourhoods programme has delivered 269 new council-rented homes across 15 sites so far – most recently, the award-winning development of Jay Court and Perching Court in Victoria Road, Portslade.
Work is currently underway on 4 new council homes in Frederick Street in the city centre, and due to start on 3 new homes in Rotherfield Crescent, Hollingbury this autumn.
A further 264 homes - including 212 on the Moulsecoomb Housing and Community Hub and Project - have planning approval, and are progressing through the development process.
Homes for Brighton & Hove
A development of 104 new homes known as Quay View in Wellington Road, Portslade was completed earlier this year - the first delivered by Homes for Brighton & Hove, a partnership between the council and affordable housing provider, Hyde.
The development of one, 2 and 3 bedroom flats includes 49 new council-rented homes at truly affordable social rents, with the rest available through Hyde as shared ownership homes.
Homes for Brighton & Hove is also building 242 low-cost homes in Coldean Lane, which include 127 social council-rented homes. The first homes are due to be completed later this year.
Much needed new council homes
Councillor Gill Williams, chair of the Housing & New Homes Committee, said: “We desperately need new council homes in the city and it’s fantastic to see these 4 New Homes for Neighbourhoods schemes coming through.
“I am so pleased to see these new homes being developed and it is testament to our innovative approach to providing decent affordable homes.
“Our goal is to deliver accessible, affordable high-quality homes for Brighton & Hove residents. Making best use of council land to increase the number of new affordable homes is a key part of that.
“We are on track to deliver 352 new affordable homes in the city this financial year.
“We’re also moving forward with the purchase of a block of 38 new flats in Whitehawk, which we’re looking to let as council-rented homes to people on the city’s housing register.”
