Brighton’s first council houses for 30 years are officially opened

The first council houses to have been built in Brighton for 30 years have been officially opened.

The 15 new homes in Wellington Road are owned and managed by Brighton and Hove City Council.

They were built with financial help from the Homes and Communities Agency.

The development is called Balchin Court. It includes three four-bedroom family homes and 12 one and two-bedroom flats. The first tenants have already moved in.

The council said that there were currently hundreds of families waiting for four-bedroom houses and 17,000 people on the waiting list for a council property.

The official opening of Balchin Court

Balchin Court was built on the site of sheltered housing which the council said had become outdated.

Bill Randall, chairman of the council’s Housing Committee, said: “Demand massively outstrips supply for housing in Brighton and Hove so these new homes and the more than 400 in the pipeline represent a massive boost to the city.”

Councillor Randall added: “Not only are these top-quality homes that meet tough environmental and security standards with some fully wheelchair accessible but where possible we have used local labour and apprenticeships.

“Nearly 200 new housing association homes have been completed since April 2011 and another 400 new homes are on site.

“Many, including those in Pankhurst Avenue and in the new Open Market, are nearing completion.

“Another 100 homes are in the pipeline. In addition, sites for another 300 homes have been identified on council estates across the city.

“We have bid for government funding to build 45 extra-care flats on one of these and we are working on plans for another 30 council homes on other small sites.”