The prospect of constructing truly affordable housing at the Brighton General Hospital location has received encouragement.
Baroness Taylor of Stevenage, a junior housing minister, indicated the government’s dedication to achieving the highest social benefit when disposing of surplus public land.
The minister was addressing an inquiry from Lord Bassam of Brighton, formerly the council leader. He inquired of the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government whether ministers would consider collaborating on a joint assessment with the council regarding delivery of 500 new dwellings at the location.
The Labour member of the House of Lords additionally requested that discussions commence regarding transferring the hospital site to the council to enable new social housing and an NHS community health facility.
In her reply dated Monday 27 April, she stated that the administration is determined to release surplus public land for residential development and to maximise the social value obtained through public asset sales. Homes England is in talks with Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust to investigate possibilities for redeveloping the site.
Lord Bassam’s inquiry came after Labour councillors put forward a proposal at a full council gathering in March. The proposal, which secured backing from multiple parties, requested officers evaluate the feasibility of obtaining the site and developing social housing, either independently or through a partnership arrangement with Hyde.
Lord Bassam noted that during the 1980s he had campaigned for the site to be used for social housing once its future as a hospital became uncertain. With a Labour council and government now acknowledging its social importance, joint planning must ensure Brighton gets the homes it requires.
Community organisations including Brighton and Hove Citizens, the Hanover and Elm Grove Communities Forum and the Brighton and Hove Housing Coalition have also pressed the council to pursue social housing at the location.
Jacob Taylor, Labour deputy leader of Brighton and Hove City Council, expressed support for social housing development at the site prior to the Community Campaign for the Brighton General Hospital Site gathering in February. He commented that it was promising the government supported the principle of social housing on such sites and that Homes England were actively discussing matters with the trust. This Labour council holds a strong belief in social housing and in providing safe, affordable homes for local people who have frequently been unable to afford to remain in their own town. He expressed genuine belief that something impressive could emerge at this location and that it remained a significant priority.
The grade II listed former workhouse, constructed in 1867, became a hospital during the 1930s. It received the name Brighton General Hospital when the council transferred it to the NHS in 1948. Efforts to use the site for housing and as a health facility gained pace eight years ago but plans were suspended while the covid-19 pandemic was ongoing.
There are worries that the NHS may attempt to sell the site to whoever offers the most money, which could result in expensive properties being built there that many local people would be unable to afford.