Key decision on future of council’s large panel system buildings

A report going to the Cabinet in July is recommending that we develop and consult on plans to demolish our 8 large panel system (LPS) buildings and replace them with new council homes.

The 8 LPS buildings are

• Dudeney Lodge and Nettleton Court in Hollingdean
• Falcon Court, Heron Court, Kestrel Court, Kingfisher Court and Swallow Court in north Whitehawk
• St James's House in Kemp Town

Structural surveys last year found that the buildings no longer meet current safety standards for withstanding a collapse in the case of an explosion or large fire.

Since then, we’ve been working closely with residents to introduce extra measures to ensure the safety of everyone living there.  

We’ve also been carrying out a detailed review of the future options for the buildings, and a report going to the council’s Cabinet on 17 July will recommend that we develop plans to regenerate the sites.

The other options looked at were to strengthen and refurbish the buildings. However, our research found that strengthening work only guarantee the building’s safety for a further 20 years and requires significant investment. It would also be seriously disruptive for residents.

The report sets out that strengthening the building is not seen as a viable or affordable long-term solution for residents or for the council.

Working with residents, every step of the way

If the decision is agreed at Cabinet, we’ll begin working with residents on the plans for the next steps.

We’ve been in regular contact with the residents of the 8 buildings to keep them updated as the work on the options has developed. 

We’re holding resident days in all 3 areas in the next week to give residents the opportunity to talk to housing teams about the recommendations in the report.

We’re also setting up Resident Advisory Panels for each area to help us plan future resident engagement and work with us on the designs of the new homes. 

Building a better future together

Councillor Gill Williams, Cabinet Member for Housing, said: “Since October last year, I have been working with officers and meeting with householders to explore the options about the future of these blocks.

“We recognise that these buildings have happy memories, in some cases for 3 generations of families.

“We honour that history. And it’s precisely because we care so deeply about the safety, quality and future of the homes that our tenants live in that we must now look ahead with clarity and courage.

“We explored every option—including strengthening and refurbishing the blocks. But that would only buy us 20 more years, at great cost and disruption, without solving the core safety issues.

“We believe our tenants deserve better than a short-term fix. This is about building homes that will last the next 60 years—not just the next 20.

“By creating more family sized homes in the city, it should reduce wait for a 3-bedroom home down from the average of 8 years.

“If Cabinet agrees to move forward, we will begin working hand-in-hand with residents on every step of the journey.

“Resident Days are being held in each area, and we’re setting up Resident Advisory Panels to ensure that the new homes reflect the needs, the voices and the vision of residents. Most importantly, it’s about creating great homes together.

“If Cabinet agrees, we understand that this would mean residents moving out of the homes that they have created and, given that the proposed programme of work will not all start at once, this will be unsettling.

“So, we will ensure that no one will go through this alone. We will support every resident through the rehousing process, and will do everything we can to help them stay in their local community if that’s what they want.

“We are fully committed to supporting residents through every step of this process, to listening to them, and to building a better future – together.”