Eastbourne council homes ready for tenants to move in

Lancer Court in Eastbourne includes one four-bedroom and five three-bedroom houses and 14 one and two bedroom apartments.

All the new properties, funded by Homes England and the Brownfield Release Fund, are allocated to support families on the council’s housing register and those in temporary accommodation.

Eight old properties in “various states of dilapidation” were demolished on the site to make way for the new homes.

Councillor Peter Diplock, Eastbourne Borough Council's cabinet member for housing, said: “Lancer Court is a stunning council development that will help transform the lives of local people.

“All the properties are built to the highest standards, alongside a host of the latest sustainability features. 

“At a time when we are dealing with unprecedented financial challenges due to the homelessness crisis, it is a proud moment to see these outstanding council homes opened.”

Read more: Inside 'exceptional' homes and architecture projects scooping awards

Lancer Court has a biosolar roof that will generate clean energy for the homes and communal areas, with Solshare technology maximising solar performance. 

Nine EV charging points are ready for the new tenants to use in the communal parking area. The houses have air source heat pumps as well as solar panels and off-road parking.  

The four-bed house has been fully adapted for a wheelchair user with a through floor lift, wet room, rise and fall kitchen and other accessibility features.  The four ground floor flats benefit from wet rooms and associated accessible facilities.

Council leader Stephen Holt said: “When you consider the obstacles to building council homes, it is an incredible achievement for us to be opening these fantastic new homes today.

“I hope the government will accelerate much-needed reforms to the social housing sector and the system for how we fund them, so we can deliver more high-quality homes like these and tackle a national homelessness crisis that is out of control.”