Seven projects from across the Coast to Capital region have been awarded more than £52 million as part of the Government's £866 million Housing Infrastructure Fund. The funding, which is designed to help unlock new homes in areas with the greatest housing demand, is awarded to local authorities on a highly competitive basis and include the following successful projects:
King Alfred Development (Brighton and Hove) - £15.22 million: To replace the ageing King Alfred Leisure Centre with improved, extended and modern sports facilities as part of a major mixed-use enabling development, the principal element of which is around 560 much-needed new flats.
Free Wharf (Shoreham-by-Sea) - £10 million: The Free Wharf development, which has been granted planning permission by Adur District Council, includes 540 homes as well as commercial and public space.
Whitgift Shopping Centre & Surrounding Land (Croydon) - £10 million: The building project will form the heart of a scheme to regenerate Croydon town centre, with the centre itself sitting within a redeveloped core of Croydon's former Whitgift Shopping Centre. The centre will offer the public a choice of more than 300 shops, restaurants, cafes and leisure facilities - as well as a new multi-screen cinema and bowling alley.
North Street Quarter (Lewes) - £10 million: 416 new homes constructed, 40 per cent of these will be affordable, a health hub for 26,000 patients, 140,000 sq. ft of business space, a riverside promenade and underground public car park.
Northern Arc (Mid Sussex) - £6.54 million: Mitigation of odour emissions from a waste water treatment works near the Nothern Arc for 3,500 homes and a smaller site for 256 homes.
Forge Wood (Crawley) - £4.42 million: An acoustic barrier to reduce noise from Gatwick Airport which will allow the development of 420 residential units. These will join the existing 1,900 residential units, which includes 760 affordable units.
Telford Place (Crawley) - £2 million: As part of the Council's housing development plans, key town centre site Telford Place will receive funding to provide an alternative access to the site, which currently supports up to 100 units. The additional access would enable approximately 200 additional homes to be built.
Chancellor of the Exchequer, Philip Hammond, said:
"Today marks the first step of the multi-billion pound investment we announced at the Budget to help build the homes our country needs. This fund finances vital infrastructure such as roads, schools and bridges, which will kick-start housing development in some of Britain's highest-demand areas. This support will help us meet our ambitious plan of building 300,000 new homes each year and ensure we have enough housing in areas which need it most."
Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government Sajid Javid said:
"This first wave of investment totalling £866m will help get up to 200,000 homes off the ground, making a huge difference to communities across the country. This is just one of the many ways this government is taking action to get Britain building homes again."
Jonathan Sharrock, Chief Executive at Coast to Capital said:
"Continuing to improve the infrastructure of our region is vital to its continued success and better housing is key to this. We are thrilled that a number of projects in our region have received much needed investment which will provide improved space for residents and attract people to the area - thus adding to the future prosperity of the region."
Councillor Andy Smith, Leader of Lewes District Council, said:
"This announcement demonstrates that the government shares the council's view about the importance and significance of the North Street Quarter development. It is transformative, not just in terms of the built environment, but also in the opportunities it creates for economic, cultural and social prosperity. The project will see 416 new homes constructed, 40 per cent of these will be affordable, a health hub for 26,000 patients, 140,000 sq. ft of business space, a riverside promenade and underground public car park. This once in a generation development will change lives for generations to come."
Councillor Peter Lamb, Leader of Crawley Council, said:
"Crawley Borough Council is committed to building as many new affordable homes as possible for the people of Crawley. After months of hard work, I'm delighted we have secured this funding, increasing the number of affordable units we can deliver for local residents."
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