New housing projects could provide 77 council homes in the city.

Brighton and Hove City Council has included the plans as part of its New Homes for Neighbourhoods programme.

There are two proposed developments in the Edward Street area - for 55 flats at Hereford Court and 22 flats at Oakley House on the junction of Leicester Street and Edward Street.

Planning applications for both are due to be submitted later this year. 

Plans for 22 new flats at Oakley House on the junction of Leicester Street and Edward Street (Image: Brighton and Hove City Council)

The plans include redeveloping the car park at Hereford Court to build two new blocks of flats. One block would be made up of 40 seniors' housing flats, including ten fully adapted wheelchair accessible properties, along with communal areas. 

The other block would be a mix of one, two and three bedroom flats which will be rented to people on the council’s housing register. 

Consultation has been carried out on initial proposals for both developments, and feedback from residents will help shape the planning applications.

If permission is granted, work could start in late 2025 or early 2026. 

Increasing the supply of housing in the city is a priority for the council. Some of the properties could be let to existing council tenants looking to downsize, helping to free up large family homes for others.  

Councillor Gill Williams, cabinet member for housing and new homes, said: “We’re taking action to provide more council housing and these proposed developments could provide a major boost of 77 new high-quality homes. 

“We will be looking in detail at the feedback and taking it into account as the designs are developed ready for a planning application to be submitted by the end of the year.” 

Homes for Brighton and Hove, a partnership between the council and affordable housing provider Hyde, has delivered 346 low-cost homes, including 176 council-rented homes. 

The council is also buying back council homes lost under the Right to Buy through its Home Purchase Policy.