10th November 2017
There are over 24,000 people on the waiting list for housing in Brighton and Hove, with “affordable” homes unaffordable to half the city’s residents. But do starter homes, affordable housing and new developments actually help to solve the housing issues? We’re looking at the Sackville Trading Estate development as a case study for developments in Brighton and Hove.
Since early 2009, a regeneration of the Sackville Trading Estate in Hove has been discussed. Plans submitted by a developer in July 2009 were rejected due to the impact on the current businesses on the estate. Developers responded to this by upping the amount of office space to be built on the development. After receiving planning permission, designs began in 2016, and were shown to local residents in March 2017.
The £200 million redevelopment scheme is part of a far larger transformation of the Hove Station area - stretching from the Sackville Estate and Hove Station to Newtown Road and Goldstone Lane, where work is already underway.
Mountpark, the developer handling the regeneration process, will be replacing the ‘tired’ single-storey buildings with 70,000 sq ft of offices and cultural space, which will not only offer 600 new homes but high-density employment.
Philip O’Callaghan, managing director of Mountpark and Hove resident said:
The scheme would boost the labour market with 475 jobs, plus 100 in construction, 400 in supplying the area and £1.5 million a year in council tax. This will be a catalyst towards wider regeneration in the Hove Station area, and the larger Brighton and Hove area as well.
The south of the development will see pavillion buildings with parking on the west side, with a section of the homes there. The north will be offices and a food store, as well as two-storey family homes with a garden terrace over the parking area.
As with any new development in Brighton & Hove, there are downsides. Local residents and campaigners have expressed concerns, including:
David Maslen, the owner of Maslen estate agents said -
Whilst developments such as the Sackville Road site won’t solve the housing shortage in the City, this exciting development does help to provide additional housing including some more affordable properties along with regeneration and much needed investment in this part of the City.
What do you think about the new developments? Let us know on Twitter & Facebook. If you’re interested in purchasing a property in Brighton & Hove, contact Maslen for expert advice today.