Site of former seafront hotel to be replaced by 60 homes

The former site of the Sackville Hotel in Kingsway, Hove that has remained empty for more than a decade – is set to be turned into luxury flats.

Plans for an eight-storey block of 60 homes were approved by Brighton and Hove Council’s planning committee on Wednesday.

Ten of the units will be affordable – five affordable rented units and five share-ownership units – which is fewer than the council’s target of 40 per cent but an improvement on the previous proposal that was presented to the committee in September this year.

Since September, council officers have gone back to the District Valuer Service to re-examine evidence presented by Hyde (the developers) in support of its claim that the site would not support the council’s target figure of 40 per-cent affordable homes.

After yesterday’s decision was made, Councillor Carol Theobald (Con) said she was “very pleased to have an extra five shared ownership units.”

The 60 homes will include 12 studio apartments, 28 one-bedroom units, 19 two-beds and one 3-bedroom home.

The application includes a stipulation that the developers contribute over £200,000 for public amenities. This includes £60,000 towards school place provision and £130,000 towards recreation projects in nearby Western Lawns, as well as £60,000 towards bus stop improvements.

A spokesperson for Hyde said: “We are pleased that the development has been approved and welcome the support for the quality of the design.”

By Clare Calder