Plans for 77 new council-rented homes

Plans are being developed for a new housing project which could provide 77 additional council-rented homes.

The project is made up of 2 proposed developments in the Edward Street area, for 55 new flats at Hereford Court and 22 new flats at nearby Oakley House. 

The plans are part of our New Homes for Neighbourhoods programme, building much needed new council homes in city. 

Consultation has been carried out on initial proposals for both developments, and feedback from local residents will help to shape planning applications which are due to be submitted later this year. 

Hereford Court car park redevelopment 

We're proposing to redevelop the car park at Hereford Court, in Edward Street, to build 2 new blocks of flats providing a total of 55 homes. 

One block would be made up of 40 seniors housing flats, including 10 fully adapted wheelchair accessible properties, along with communal areas. 

The other block would be a mix of one, 2 and 3 bedroom flats which will be rented to people on the council’s housing register. 

Oakley House 

We're proposing to redevelop Oakley House, on the junction of Leicester Street and Edward Street, to build 22 new one, 2 and 3 bedroom flats. 

A community garden and food growing area could also be provided on land adjacent to the site. 

Next steps 

Planning applications for both developments are due to be submitted later this year. 

Once the planning application has been submitted there will be a further opportunity for people to comment on the proposals as part of the planning process. 

If planning permission is granted, work on both developments could start in late 2025 or early 2026. 

As well as proposing to build the new homes, we will be looking at landscaping work to improve the surrounding area and help link the 2 proposed developments.

This could include a paved area with informal seating and ramped access at the Hereford Court development, helping to create an accessible link from Queen’s Park to the seafront.

Increasing the supply of council housing 

Increasing the supply of housing in the city is a priority for the council and the proposed developments will provide homes for people on the city’s housing register.

Some of the properties could be let to existing council tenants looking to downsize, helping to free up large family homes for others.  

Councillor Gill Williams, Cabinet Member for Housing and New Homes, said: “We’re taking action to provide more council housing and these proposed developments could provide a major boost of 77 new high quality homes. 

“Thank you to everyone who took part in the recent consultation on the developments and gave their views.

“We will be looking in detail at the feedback and taking it into account as the designs are developed ready for a planning application to be submitted by the end of the year.” 

Our New Homes for Neighbourhoods building programme is one of a range of measures to provide more council homes. 

Homes for Brighton & Hove, a partnership between the council and affordable housing provider Hyde, has delivered 346 low cost homes, including 176 council-rented homes. 

We are also buying back council homes lost under the Right to Buy through our Home Purchase Policy.