100 new homes approved for Hove - 40 per cent aimed at locals in need

Plans to create over 100 new homes in Hove have been approved today by councillors on the planning committee.

The properties, plus nearly 600 square metres of office space, will replace the Westerman complex in School Road. The complex, originally built for light industry, now has a mix of uses ranging from a play centre to a church, tool hire and an MoT centre.

Under an agreement between the council and developers, 40 per cent of the homes will be for affordable shared ownership or rent, aimed at local people in housing need.

Approval permits up to 83 flats and 21 houses, comprising 48 one-bed units, 34 two-bed, and 22 three-bed. Permitted heights will be between three and five stories, depending on location within the site.

Developers will also pay £210,000 for local education, £250,000 for open spaces and indoor recreation, £74,000 for sustainable transport  and £45,000 towards improving public spaces.

A residential travel plan includes two years free membership of the Car Club plus £250 to buy a bike or equipment. Ninety three parking spaces are proposed.

Twenty per cent of the workforce during demolition and construction will be local, and developers will also pay £35,000 to the council’s employment scheme.

This is an outline application with fine details of the building’s appearance and landscaping still to be approved by the council.

Committee Chair Councillor Julie Cattell said: “Again this application has seen us securing our top target figure of 40 per cent affordable housing for local people.  It’s the right thing to do wherever possible. I also very much welcome the fact we’re able to retain jobs on this site in modern premises of a kind that businesses want.”