The developer behind plans to build 101 homes in Benfield Valley has stepped up efforts to be able to press on with the project.
Hollybrook Homes was granted planning permission for the scheme on Wednesday (2 September), according to Brighton and Hove City Council’s website.
The decision follows a vote by the council’s Planning Committee in April last year when it was “minded to grant” planning permission – subject to conditions.
The conditions appear to have been met but the council has still not granted landlord’s consent so Hollybrook intends to take the matter to the Land Tribunal.
Labour councillor Amanda Grimshaw, who represents Hangleton and Knoll, said: “This changes nothing and our position remains clear: we will fight this development and the council will not vary the covenant on the land.”
Fellow Labour councillor Faiza Baghoth, who also represents Hangleton and Knoll, said: “We stood on a promise to oppose development of Benfield Valley and we will continue to do so.”
The Labour deputy leader of the council Jacob Taylor said: “This is part of the planning process and has nothing to do with the council’s position on the land.”
Councillor Taylor added: “Our position is crystal clear: we’re not removing the covenant on the land. We’re not going to do a deal with the developer. Indeed, they are appealing to the land tribunal – and we’re fighting it.”
The plans were submitted in July 2024 by a consortium of two companies, Benfield Property Ltd and Benfield Investments Ltd.
The site, off Hangleton Lane, in Hove, is understood to be held on a lease by Benfield Investments, which had been working with Hollybrook Homes, a respected developer, on plans for the site. The freehold is owned by the council.
Although councillors felt obliged to grant planning permission because the application complied with planning law and policy, initially this appeared to be academic.
In part, this was because a covenant has restricted the use of the land for leisure and recreation since it was gifted by the Sainsbury family more than 30 years ago.
They gave the land to what was then Hove Borough Council when the Sainsbury’s superstore was built at the southern end of the valley by the old entrance to West Hove Golf Club.
Also, a prolonged campaign by neighbours, dog walkers and nature lovers highlighted the potential loss of ecology, wildlife and biodiversity in what has been described as Hove and Portslade’s last green lung.
Before the council’s Planning Committee discussed the application in April last year, Labour councillor Alan Robins, a member of the council’s cabinet, wrote to David Godden at Benfield Property.
Councillor Robins wrote: “As you know, the current lease restricts use of the land to outdoor recreational and leisure purposes.
“And the council as landowner would need to consent to the implementation of the development where this is outside the terms of the lease.
“We have not received an application from you in this respect. While the council is keen to facilitate the building of housing in Brighton and Hove, as landlord we are not minded to agree to vary the lease relating to this land.
“The site is of great importance to the city and our residents and we are keen to continue to preserve and maintain the use of the whole of the site in its current form for the benefit of our residents.”
Peter Kyle, the Labour MP for Hove and Portslade, has turned out to support campaigners at the site in the past.
Mr Kyle said: “The councillors, the community and myself always said that this area is a valuable social, leisure and outdoor space so I’m over the moon that there is a legal document which proves this.
“Thank you to all the residents who have contacted us and stood firm with us on this issue.”
The council reluctantly allocated some housing on the site in the City Plan, a strategic planning document, under pressure to meet the huge demand for new homes in Brighton and Hove.
The Conservative councillors at the time, Dawn Barnett, Tony Janio and Nick Lewry, unsuccessfully tried to prevent the land from being earmarked for housing.
But the Greens said that a government planning inspector had in effect given the council no choice but to include Benfield Valley along with various other “urban fringe” sites as potentially suitable for housing.
When Labour won the three seats in Hangleton and Knoll ward in 2023, they did so having pledged – like their Conservative opponents – to fight any plans for housing in Benfield Valley.
The council remains keen to build new homes and the target set by the government is demanding, forcing councillors and officials to confront some difficult decisions.
And on the near horizon is the future of the Hove Park Lower School site, also known as the Valley Campus, which is due to become vacant in just under two years’ time.
Work is already under way behind the scenes to work out the best use for the site, with new homes the most likely option.
And it would be surprising if talks were not taking place with Hyde, the housing association, which was allocated £350 million by a government agency, Homes England, last month.
The grant is intended to help the council’s joint venture housebuilding partner to fund 2,250 new homes outside London – an opportunity that the council is well-placed to exploit.
