HOUSE prices in Lancing have risen faster than average in the surrounding area following the opening of Brighton and Hove Albion FC’s training ground in the village.

A study by Michael Jones Estate Agents has shown that over a range of properties sold in the Lancing area, prices have risen by an average of 46.5 per cent since 2013 when the training facility first opened.

This is an additional nine per cent increase over and above compared with the Nationwide House Price Index for the South East which calculated house prices in this area have generally risen in the same time by just 37.5 per cent.

Figures released by www.michaeljones.co.uk show on average, asking prices for one-bedroom apartments in Lancing have increased by some 45.52 per cent since 2013 from £109,950 to £160,000.

Four-bedroom semi-detached houses have seen an increase of 59 per cent since 2013 from £250,000 to £397,500.

Meanwhile a two-bedroom terraced house in close vicinity to the training base is now £245,000, 63.33 per cent higher than it was in 2013.

Gary Evans, director of Michael Jones, said: “In my opinion, having the Albion locally has enhanced the location, rather than being detrimental and has assisted in increasing the sold prices of properties in the area significantly.

“Having been born and bred in Lancing and worked here for well over 30 years, I have seen Lancing and Sompting move through several transitional periods and I can wholeheartedly say that the last few years have been the most exciting.

“With national companies like Pizza Hut, Domino’s Pizza and now Costa Coffee moving into Lancing Village, we are finally seeing the larger brand names targeting the centre, with hopefully more to come. With more visitors enjoying the area and hopefully wishing to move here, it will create further demand, which in turn will further enhance potential sale prices.”

There are also plans for 600 homes and 1,000 jobs in the area as part of a £170 million development including an Ikea.

Albion’s new training ground was officially opened last month by club chairman Tony Bloom, chief executive Paul Barber and head of EMEA Card Services and Peter Wright of American Express.

The training ground is officially titled the American Express Elite Football Performance Centre.

The facility in Mash Barn Lane now hosts Under-21 Premier League games and is required to ensure the club retains its top academy status.

Matches were previously played at Culver Road, Lancing, but a new artificial surface meant it no longer met Premier League requirements.