£80m mixed-use scheme in Hove submits planning

A new scheme to build homes, shops, and offices on land by Hove Station has been submitted for approval

Matsim Properties has submitted plans for an £80m scheme to build a mixture of residential and commercial facilities on land by Hove Station and the Conway Street bus garage.

The scheme would see the demolition of three commercial units in Ellen Street to make way for the mixed development.

The plans comprise of 188 flats, around 21,000 sq ft of grade A office space, and 2,500 sq ft of commercial space. Permission is also being sought to build a basement car park.

The plans, which were submitted to Brighton and Hove City Council, will see a development range between four and seventeen stories high.

In response to local housing need, the developer has submitted a higher proportion of one-bedroom flats for the scheme, which is known as Hove Gardens.

Matsim director Simon Lambor said: “We hope that this can be the first phase and catalyst in the wider regeneration of the Hove Station Quarter that can provide desperately needed homes and employment space for the city.

“We continue to consult with the local authority and the Hove Station Neighbourhood Forum on this.

“We are also committed to the provision of affordable housing and the improvement of the public realm in the area.”

Architects LCE, of Brighton, said: “The proposed development has been fundamentally designed to accord with the council’s vision for this area.

“The proposals contained within the application have been developed following extensive pre-application discussions and liaison with Hove Station Neighbourhood Forum, who are in support of the proposed scheme, and public consultation carried out alongside them.

“The site presents a major brownfield redevelopment opportunity as it constitutes underutilised and previously developed land in a highly sustainable location, within an uninspiring setting.”

The commercial side of the scheme is expected to generate up to 500 jobs and £230,000 a year in business rates.

Furthermore, it is expected the development will also generate £300,000 a year in council tax revenue and £320,000 a year in New Homes Bonus money from the government (around £1.9m over six years).

In total, it is expected the project will be worth some £850,000 to the council each year.