Housing group plans nine storeys of offices and flats in Hove

A housing association has applied to put up a nine-storey building containing 76 flats and 7,500 sq ft (700 sq m) of offices in Hove.

Hyde Housing wants to demolish its existing offices – an inefficient two-storey 1990s office building in Davigdor Road, Hove, near the junction with Lyon Close. In its place Hyde wants to build ground-floor grade A offices with housing above.

In a planning application to Brighton and Hove City Council, Hyde said that 30 of the flats – or 40 per cent – would be classed as affordable housing.

Seven of the flats would be wheelchair accessible and the scheme would also include basement car parking and cycle spaces.

Hyde said that 35 of the flats would have one bedroom or be suitable for two people, with six of these being wheelchair accessible.

Thirteen would be two-bedroom flats or suitable for three people, with one of these being wheelchair accessible.

Thirteen more would be two-bedroom flats or suitable for four people and 15 would be three-bedroom flats or suitable for five people.

The housing group said that its original plans were for a 13-storey building but it had modified them after consulting people in the area.

The revised scheme was for a building that was nine storeys at its highest point but five storeys at street level – lower than its nearest neighbour.

Early consultation had highlighted concerns among some people in Lyndhurst Road about the possible loss of their sea views.

Hyde’s planning adviser Lewis and Co did not believe that this was a significant issue, given the need for housing in Brighton and Hove.

It pointed out that the Lyndhurst Road properties were about 100 yards away and that Hyde had reduced the height of its revised scheme.

It said that the 18 parking spaces for the offices would directly replace the existing on-site parking. Of the 19 residential parking spaces, eight would be designed for wheelchair users.

Hyde said that most of the flats would be “car free” with no access to on-site parking. Owners and residents would not be eligible to apply for a council residential parking permit.

The housing group also noted the shortage of primary school places in the immediate area and the wider need for more secondary school places across Brighton and Hove.

It was willing to make a financial or other contribution to help meet any infrastructure need arising from its proposal.

The proposed building has been designed by RH Partnership, architects with a practice in Foundry Street, Brighton.

Lewis and Co said: “The scheme is well designed and the proposed height of building is appropriate given the site’s location adjacent to Preece House and other tall buildings such as the Montefiore Hospital.

“The amenities of neighbouring residents will be preserved.

“The benefits of the scheme are significant: improvements to the appearance of the area, investment and economic development in the city, new high-quality office space to and the provision of a large number of residential units.

“There are no disadvantages that would significantly and demonstrably outweigh such benefits.”

A decision is expected by the end of October.

Hyde was the housing association behind the flats built at the Open Market in Brighton and those being built at Park House in Hove and New England Square by Brighton Station.