Planning permission sought for community hub and housing in Brighton

Plans for a new community hub and over 200 new council homes in Moulsecoomb have taken a step forward, after approval to proceed to planning application was agreed at Brighton & Hove’s housing committee last month.

More than 200 residents attended planning sessions to give feedback on the scheme and explain what they would like to see.

The architects are working with a consultant to carry out a whole life carbon assessment to measure the carbon emissions created by the development and estimate the total carbon emissions the scheme will create.

The development is expected to incorporate circular economy principles to reduce the use of new materials and create less waste, with the homes also insulated and heated by ground source heat pumps.

Cllr David Gibson, co-chair of the Housing Committee, said: ‘It’s really exciting to see this ambitious project moving forward. As well as improving services and facilities for local residents, it will be the largest development of much-needed new council homes for a generation.

‘It’s a huge step towards our priority of increasing the supply of low-cost housing in the city. The ‘whole life carbon assessment’ is at the heart of the design process and will ensure aiming for minimal carbon impact both through the build and a high level of energy efficiency in the homes. It’s a complex scheme and there’s a lot of work still to be done. I’m looking forward to seeing these under-used sites transformed into a new high quality community space and high quality homes.’

Cllr Gill Williams, the opposition lead for housing, added: ‘Providing much needed new council housing is our shared priority. It’s great to see the proposals for these vital new homes and the improved community facilities moving forward.’

The initial planning applications are expected to be submitted in early 2022, with work due to begin on site in autumn 2022.

In related news, work has begun on a £40m council housing development which will regenerate Throstle Recreation Ground and the former Middleton Skills Centre in Leeds.

Photo by Marc René Geiser