Subject:		Moulsecoomb Neighbourhood Hub & Housing Schemes: Update Report – Extract from the proceedings of the Housing Committee meeting held on the 17 March 2021
Date of Meeting:		18 March 2021
Contact Officer:	Name:	Shaun Hughes	Tel:	01273 290569
	E-mail:	shaun.hughes@brighton-hove.gov.uk
Wards Affected:		All Wards

For General release

Action Required of Policy & Resources Committee:

To receive the recommendations of the Housing Committee for consideration.

Recommendation:

(1) That the progress made on the Moulsecoomb Neighbourhood Hub & Housing Scheme and the rationale for high-level design changes to the masterplan be noted;

(2) That the impact that the coronavirus pandemic has had on the programme’s delivery timeline be noted;

(3) That the current financial position of the project and the governance arrangements in place to monitor delivery be noted, and

(4) That officers be authorised to progress the conditions on the change of use consent for the former Portslade Sixth Form site development as set out in paragraph 3.26 of the report.

Brighton & Hove City Council

Housing Committee

4.00pm17 March 2021

VIRTUAL Meeting

MINUTES

Present:   Councillor Gibson (Joint Chair), Hugh-Jones (Joint Chair), Phillips (Deputy Chair), Williams (Opposition Spokesperson), Mears (Group Spokesperson), Appich, Atkinson, Barnett, Fowler and Osborne.

PART ONE<AI1>

147     Moulsecoomb Neighbourhood Hub & Housing Schemes: Update Report

147.1  The Lead City Regeneration Programme Manager introduced the report and stated the following:

The report provides an update on proposals to develop land in Moulsecoomb & Bevendean, delivering approximately 230 council homes as well as a new neighbourhood hub for the community. The hub will accommodate a Youth Centre, Library, GP surgery and pharmacy at the heart of the development. As part of the comprehensive public realm design, new and improved sports facilities are also included in the proposals.

The latest masterplan, included as an appendix to the report, reflects a series of Planning For Real sessions, Design: South East workshops, and Planning consultancy. The feedback received through this engagement has been combined with the principles of sustainability and public health to shape the current proposals.

Following permission from the Secretary of State for change of use, the report also requests approval to proceed with the redevelopment of the Former Portslade Sixth Form site into new council offices and comply with the conditions of consent set out in the report. The redevelopment of this site is a dependency for the wider scheme in Moulsecoomb, as well as supporting the council’s future ways of working and recovery from Covid.

Progress has been made on the housing element of the project with the costs incurred and committed to date for the Housing Scheme totalling £820k. These costs relate to the work undertaken for working up the final design and will form part of the overall scheme costs. This will be funded by the future sites pipeline budget.

The new homes will be delivered over two phases. They will be reliant on grant and initial positive discussions have already been held between the councillor and Homes England. A grant application will be submitted once the design is finalised and costed.

147.2  Councillors Williams and Hugh-Jones congratulated the team on the report.

147.3  Councillor Appich noted that the report should refer to paragraph 3.27 under the legal implications not 3.24.

147.4  Councillor Atkinson noted that the site of the former six form college was currently being used as a COVID-19 testing centre and the residents would be pleased to see the development go ahead.

147.5  Councillor Mears considered the presentation given at supply board to be very useful and considered even more visuals would be helpful. The councillor considered £7m costs would need to be kept on track and school placements to be observed to ensure enough were available.

147.6  Councillor Gibson considered the progress to be good during the pandemic and felt the residents had been listened to. The 200 council homes would be a benefit to the city and the Homes England grant a positive support if obtained.

147.7  Councillor Hugh-Jones considered the project to be inspiring and noted the materials from the demolished building would be re used in the new build.

147.8  The Chair invited the committee to vote and the recommendations were agreed unanimously.

147.9  RESOVLED: That the Housing Committee recommends to Policy & Resource Committee that Policy & Resources Committee:

(1) That the progress made on the Moulsecoomb Neighbourhood Hub & Housing Scheme and the rationale for high-level design changes to the masterplan be noted;

(2) That the impact that the coronavirus pandemic has had on the programme’s delivery timeline be noted;

(3) That the current financial position of the project and the governance arrangements in place to monitor delivery be noted, and

(4) That officers be authorised to progress the conditions on the change of use consent for the former Portslade Sixth Form site development as set out in paragraph 3.26 of the report.