Would you like to live in a park or on a playing field? Well thanks to a council sell-off, two buyers could do just that.
Park House, which sits on the edge of East Brighton Park, is being put up for sale after it became vacant.
Currently split into two flats, it’s being marketed as a development or investment opportunity for £450,000
The advert, written by agents Spencer and Leigh, says: “Located on the fringe of East Brighton Park is this detached red brick period property which has been converted into two large one bedroom self contained flats which now require modernisation and improvement.
“The property has huge potential for further extension into the roof space, subject to the necessary consent, with the option to remodel the internal layout to maximise potential.
“Outside the property has a good size front garden which directly overlooks fields and parkland.”
Also being marketed by Spencer and Leigh is a cottage near Varndean College which the council is also selling off, priced at £375,000.
Located on Stringer Way and surrounded by playing fields, it was earmarked for disposal along with Park House by Brighton and Hove City Council in December last year.
The advert says: “The location has a lovely semi rural feel about it due to the open green spaces which surround it.
“Viewing is highly recommended to fully appreciate this fantastic cottage which is located in a highly sought after location.”
A committee report said: The council owns a number of residential properties that are … part of farms that historically provided accommodation for farm workers, or are within our parks, schools and cemeteries that historically provided accommodation for employees of the council.
“The historic use is no longer relevant, the properties are surplus to requirements.”
The committee agreed that 20% of the net proceeds of the sale would be reinvested in the city’s downland.
The rest will be used for general capital investment.
I wonder why the council is looking to sell off these properties, instead of converting the land space into desperately needed social housing?
Even the money realised will not be available for the housing shortage! Beggars belief.
Because these aren’t part of the councils housing estate (under the Housing Revenue Account) but belong to other departments.
If they no longer need them they get transferred to the “non operational” pool and then get offered to other council departments.
So they would have been offered to the housing department who would have made an assessment of the costs of (a) buying them and then (b) refurbishing them. So it looks like it was uneconomic for them to take over.
Yes this does sound weird but it’s how the law requires the council to operate. The income from the part of the sale not earmarked for downland will help fund other parts of the councils non housing capital programme.
Probably because building social housing on East Brighton park would not be popular.
You’re not wrong there.