Conran and Partners have received planning approval for 104 new affordable homes to be built in Brighton and Hove to tackle the city’s housing crisis
The proposed 7-storey scheme represents the project in a series of innovative new housing developments which aim to tackle the housing crisis through the ‘Homes for Brighton & Hove’ initiative – a partnership between Brighton & Hove City Council and the Hyde Group – set up to create 1,000 new homes for rent and sale for lower-income, local working households in the city.
The council-owned site in Portslade is located along Wellington Road (A259) on the site of the former Belgrave Day Centre and will deliver 100% of the new homes as affordable. The Living Wage Joint Venture seeks to provide 50% shared ownership (intermediate housing) and 50% affordable rent, with the cost set at 37.5% of the gross income of a household earning the new Living Wage.
The scheme will offer a variety of one, two and three-bedroom homes that all exceed national space standards. It will benefit from good transport links to surrounding areas, while its close proximity to Boundary Road will provide quick access to shops and local amenities. The proposals also take advantage of the spectacular views of the sea and the surrounding South Downs.
The design reintroduces the historical street pattern, with a sheltered courtyard created as part of a new pedestrian route through the site, referencing St James Square which once occupied the site. The courtyard space is animated with front doors and overlooked by generous windows and balconies.
The proposed buildings are set back from the main road, enabling a ‘green corridor’ of elm trees, hedges and seasonal plants to be introduced. The stepped buildings will be created from robust, textured brick and stone.
Lee Davies, partner, Conran and Partners, said: “We are delighted that our design proposals have been approved. As a leading part of the ‘Homes for Brighton & Hove’ initiative, this scheme marks the beginning of a vital strategy for the city is offering a forward-thinking solution to affordable housing.
“Our design approach not only provides much needed and desirable new homes for those that live and work in the city but also initiates the area’s wider masterplan and provides a catalyst for positive change in the area.”
Councillor John Allcock, chair of the council’s housing committee and chair of Homes for Brighton & Hove, said: “Homes for Brighton & Hove is a key part of our plans to increase the supply of genuinely affordable homes the city urgently needs and it’s great to see this second development move a step closer.”
Guy Slocombe, group business development director for Hyde Housing, added: “Homes for Brighton & Hove is an innovative partnership set up with the sole purpose of building genuinely affordable homes for local people in Brighton & Hove.
“We know the need for affordable housing is high and so we are delighted to have reached this exciting milestone of securing planning approval for our second scheme.”
