Decision on next steps for council’s large panel system buildings

Councillors agreed to consult on and progress with the development of plans to regenerate the sites of our 8 large panel system (LPS) buildings at the Cabinet meeting on Thursday 17 July.

This will include the demolition of the existing buildings to provide new council housing.

The 8 council-owned LPS buildings in the city are:

  • Dudeney Lodge and Nettleton Court in Hollingdean
  • Falcon Court, Heron Court, Kestrel Court, Kingfisher Court and Swallow Court in north Whitehawk
  • St James's House in Kemp Town

Structural surveys last year found that the buildings no longer meet current safety standards for withstanding a collapse in the case of an explosion or large fire.

Building a better future together

Councillor Gill Williams, Cabinet Member for Housing, said: “This is a big step, but after very careful consideration of the options, we have agreed in principle that regeneration is the preferred option.

“Since October last year, I have been working with officers and meeting with householders to explore the options about the future of these blocks. 

“We recognise that these buildings have happy memories, in some cases for 3 generations of families.

“This is why it was important for us to explore all the options in detail, including strengthening and refurbishing the blocks. That would only buy us 20 more years, at great cost and disruption, without solving the core safety issues.

“By creating more family sized homes in the city, it should reduce wait for a 3-bedroom home down from the average of 8 years.

“We will now begin working hand-in-hand with residents on every step of the next part of the journey.

“We’re holding the first Resident Advisory Panels for each area in the coming weeks. These have been set up to ensure any regeneration designs reflect the needs, the voices and the vision of residents.

“Our other key focus is to set up rehousing teams to start supporting residents to plan their moves. This is a big task and will be done in phases over a number of years. We’re reassuring residents that no-one will have to move immediately.

“We will support every resident through the rehousing process, and we will do everything we can to help them stay in your local community if that’s what they want.

“We are fully committed to supporting residents through every step of this process, to listening to them, and to building a better future – together.”

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