Public Consultation

Following extensive public consultation since November 2023, we have submitted a planning application to Brighton & Hove City Council for Benfield Valley. Thank you to all those of you who shared feedback with us, and helped us evolve our proposals

In response to comments received from the local community, we propose to concentrate all of the housing in one location north of Hangleton Lane on part of the private footgolf land and car park and to release the whole of the southern area – part of which was previously proposed for housing in the City plan – as community parkland. In response to comments from local wildlife groups, we also propose to move the northern housing area to the east to double the size of the wildlife corridor.

We believe these changes will strike the right balance between protecting the local environment – 90% of Benfield Valley will remain undeveloped – and providing very much needed housing to help solve the housing crisis. In line with the City Council Policy, 40% of the homes will be affordable.
In addition to the housing and parkland, we propose to refurbish Benfield Barn as a “Community Hub” providing flexible space for community events, wildlife and heritage interpretation, exhibitions, educational use, the footgolf reception and a community café.

The Brighton & Hove City Plan allocates space for approximately 100 homes in Benfield Valley on sites both south and north of Hangleton Lane. Of the two development options presented, the majority of community feedback to Benfield Property’s consultation (88%) preferred the homes to be situated on the northern side only, with the southern side enhanced and protected as open space for local residents.

As part of the community parkland we will invest in landscaping, protecting the BMX track, created by local young people, and improving footpaths, providing natural play areas and signage. We commit to help set up a community Parkland Trust, with funding for its ongoing management and maintenance.

The new enlarged wildlife corridor will enhance and protect the biodiversity of the site which includes habitats for dormice, bats, reptiles, birds and butterflies.

We submitted the scheme to the South East Design Review Panel for an independent audit and have taken on board their comments about Benfield Barn being utilised as a community hub and ensuring that the important westerly views from the barn remain unobstructed and the historic hedgerow lines are retained. Our landscape architects have included an orchard and allotments as part of the proposals providing an attractive and productive buffer between the Barn and the new homes.

We have ensured there are enough car parking spaces on site in accordance with City Council policies, and have adding a footway to the north of Hangleton Lane between the site entrance and the roundabout to the west as well as dropped kerbs and tactile paving at this point to improve safety and accessibility for pedestrians. We have also commissioned experts to undertake a traffic assessment, and it shows the site will have a minimal impact locally.

Brighton & Hove City Council will now undertake their own consultation, while they consider our application, and you will be able to make comments on our proposals to them. If you have any specific queries, please do contact us via our email on the Contact page.