Paul Burgess from planning company Lewis & Co, has stated Brighton and Hove City Council’s plans regarding house building over the next 20 years “topsy-turvy”. He is also calling on the Government to reject Brighton and Hove City Council’s attempt to sidestep changes in planning rules, warning that Brighton and Hove is heading for a shortfall of 4,500 homes.
Brighton and Hove Council say that many businesses could be forced out of the city if new planning rules facilitate the transformation of offices into homes by property developers in Brighton.
Mr Burgess from Lewis & Co (based in Port Hall Road) says the council’s city plan which is designed to direct planners between now and 2030 does not make enough homes available for residents and he has urged the council to amend the plan.
Brighton and Hove Council says the city needs 15,800 new homes by 2030 but currently only has room for 11,300.
Tony Mernagh, executive director at the Brighton and Hove Economic Partnership, said: “You can’t plan for the future if you have no control over how much employment space you will have.
“The problem with the new rule is that it allows practically any and all office space to be converted on a whim, not just the old offices that no one wants.
“Checks and balances have to be applied to the equilibrium between space for homes and jobs.”
Phelim Macafferty, Deputy council leader, said: “The city plan is robust, practical and will bring forward sustainable development whilst providing homes, jobs, schools and other facilities that our residents and businesses need. The case Brighton and Hove Council has submitted to Government cautions against the prospect of the unmanaged loss of employment space when an up-to-date Employment Land Study highlights shortages across the city.”
