Fresh plans submitted for Hove seafront site

Housing association Hyde has come back with new designs for a eight-storey building with 60 homes on the seafront site at the junction of Kingsway, and said it has worked with local residents and community groups to come up with the scheme.

It held a series of design workshops with architects HGP, to give residents a chance to shape and influence the design using 3D modelling software.

Guy Goodman, partner at HGP Architects, said: “I’m personally grateful for the time and creative input of the many local residents and community groups who have embraced the consultation process and got involved in shaping the height, design and materials for the proposed new building. It’s been refreshing to be involved in a meaningful dialogue with residents and I’m certain the quality of our design is much better for it.

“The building fits seamlessly into Hove seafront and will enhance the conservation area, providing elegantly designed new homes on a vacant brownfield site.”

The new design at 189 Kingsway is for an eight-storey building, with the top floor set back from the floors below. It also includes a basement car park.

Hyde’s previous scheme for the site was for 107 homes in the 17-storey tower block, which it later revised to 98. It withdrew the plans after pressure from ‘No to Sackville Tower’ campaigners, who said the building was too tall.

Tom Shaw, Hyde development director (south), said: “HGP have taken the time to really understand the brief, to meet with local residents and stakeholders and collaborate to produce a design for a scheme that will deliver a landmark building for Hove seafront whilst respecting its neighbours and raising the bar in terms of quality of design.”

The new plans have now been submitted to Brighton and Hove City Council, and a decision is expected in summer 2017.