Housing campaigners are calling for more “truly affordable” council homes to be built as part of the redevelopment of the King Alfred Leisure Centre on Hove seafront.
Former Green councillor David Gibson, a leading member of the Living Rents campaign group, is one of six people urging Labour-led Brighton and Hove City Council to act.
The six housing campaigners are sending a deputation to a meeting of the full council at Hove Town Hall on Thursday (19 December).
They cited one of the council’s own policy documents and said: “In the Brighton and Hove City Council Plan 2023-27 Homes for All, you say: ‘Our goal is to deliver accessible, affordable, high-quality homes for everyone in Brighton and Hove.’
“There are high levels of private renting in the city which you admit is unaffordable for most people.
“There are high levels of temporary emergency households, more than 1,700 in February 2024, the cost of which to the council is £16.9 million – the council’s own figures.”
They said that luxury housing schemes had “swamped” Brighton and Hove without having had any effect on reducing the “crippling housing crisis”.
And they asked for a serious commitment to use public-owned land for housebuilding schemes that would benefit residents.
They said: “The council needs to use its assets to ensure truly affordable housing is delivered if it is to honour its commitments.
“We feel that the remainder of the King Alfred public-owned site should not be privatised and instead be used to build council housing to meet the huge need in the city.”
The deputation is due to be heard at the full council meeting which is scheduled to start at 4.30pm on Thursday (19 December).
I find it bizarre that these campaigners want council housing properties in prime locations like this on the beach and next to the pavilion. One flat here would be worth two or three in a cheaper city centre location. Housing the flats in Moulsecoombe or brown field sites elsewhere would house triple the number of households. There are very high maintenance costs associated with housing right on the seafront. Who does the council expect to pay for this? Council tax payers?
I couldn’t agree more.
Affordable housing on the seafront at Hove ??? talk about dreaming, how about including their own parking spaces while these thoughts are on the go ??
Probably the same campaigners who fought to keep the leisure centre at this prime property location at immense cost. Imagine how much truly affordable housing could have been built with the surplus if the benfield site has been selected.
Turkeys voting for Christmas?
No turkeys not voting, too busy running the circus,
not surprised, are any of you, truly surprised? They do not care about you, they will do what suits their ideology. just knock it down and build thousands of council homes and be done with it…a tragic end to a much loved community asset.
It’s a PUBLIC BEACH. With a PUBLIC LEISURE CENTRE already there. Hands off! If the council build tower blocks there, they will be for the rich. End of.
I see what they are saying in principle, and agree with the concept of using council owned land to house build. Seems reasonable.
A senior housing scheme would work well here, with a step up scheme from council housing will open up properties more suitable for younger people.
I think I would pose is by just building housing, is the land getting the most value out of it?
Brilliant. Anyone with a reasonable memory will know that the last two attempts to rebuild the King Alfred were derailed by trying to crowbar affordable housing onto the site.
Swimming pools in particular are extremely expensive to run.
Perhaps former Cllr Gibson would be better to reflect on his failure to make any meaningful change when Chair of Housing.
There are far more suitable sites for housing. The Greens just need to stop opposing them.
I think you make a strong point that Brighton can’t be too picky, with not a lot of choice around for development outside of densifying existing areas.
I really think we should keep the leisure centre where it is, it is central for everyone to use and part of the sports facilities along the beach for everyone… Building houses here, council houses sounds like corruption to me.. It doesn’t make sense, there will end up being one affordable flat and the rest for the few rich.. I mean come on, really?? We have already had 2 votes i think where the public have voted to keep the leisure centre here, why are a few ex councillors messing with this..? . Surely cheaper more suitable land can be found… Luxury seafront flats.. Hmmm whos getting the contract to build them, who is managing this, whi is getting paid for what.. This is a bad idea and not for the many, not for everyone. It would be much better to renew the king Alfred and keep it central…where people will use it..
The centre isn’t moving.