The council is planning to build 250 new homes in Moulsecoomb on the site of two council offices and a youth centre – with a new community hub built to replace them.
The council has earmarked the Moulsecoomb north and south hubs, which currently house children, families and schools social work teams, fostering and the virtual schools team, and the 67 centre, a youth club where youth service teams are also based. All three are in Hodshrove Lane.
A new community building next to nearby Moulsecoomb Sports Centre would replace these buildings, and could also include Moulsecoomb Library, a GP surgery, adult learning and a community cafe.
Councillor Nancy Platts, leader of the council, said: “This is a very exciting proposal. It’s a great opportunity to improve services and facilities for Moulsecoomb and Bevendean residents, as well as redevelop some underused sites for much-needed new low-cost housing.
“It’s an ambitious project and will be the biggest development the council has taken on for a very long time.
“We’ve had positive feedback on the idea from the community so far. We’re holding these sessions to give residents an opportunity to help shape the development.
“Residents are the experts on what an area needs, so please do come along to share your views and work with us to develop the proposals.”
The council has discussed the proposals with local residents and community groups over the past year and is now holding a series of ‘planning for real sessions’.
These will give residents access to planners, architects, housing officers and community workers to discuss a 3D model of the neighbourhood showing the new proposals, and work out the best way of providing what’s needed.
The homes would be delivered through the New Homes for Neighbourhoods scheme building new council-rented homes across the city, which aims to provide 800 new homes from 2019 to 2023.
After these sssions, plans for the neighbourhood hub will be developed ahead of a business case going to the council’s policy and resources committee this spring.
If approved, a planning application for the neighbourhood hub is likely to be submitted later in the year. If approved, the development is expected to take around four years
The sessions will be held:
- Planning for real launch event – all welcome
9am – 7pm Wednesday 22 January at the Moulsecoomb Community Leisure Centre, Moulsecoomb Way, Brighton, BN2 4PB - Planning for real community event – all welcome
12 noon – 7pm Friday 24 January at the Bevy, 50 Hillside, Brighton, BN2 4TF - Coffee morning & afternoon drop-in – all welcome
9.30am – 12 noon & 2pm – 6pm Wednesday 29 January at the Foodbank & Advice Centre, Holy Nativity Community Hall, Norwich Drive, Bevendean, BN2 4LA - Planning for real for young people – ages 11-18 welcome
5.30pm – 7.30pm Thursday 30 January at the 67 Centre, Hodshrove Lane, Brighton, BN2 4RW
Great news.
At last sensible plans for a sensible area that needs housing.
We should focus more on deprived areas like this with social problems – unemployment, drugs etc to help change them.
Also white hawk and lewes road need more council houses
This is brill. Council houses needed here plus portslade Whitehawk and mile oak. Help the poor
Maybe a good change