BENFIELD Valley is clearly an emotive topic.

On one hand we are in the midst of a crippling housing crisis, which is only heading in one direction. But on the other we are desperately trying to protect the green spaces which make this area so beautiful to live in. Something has got to give.

Nothing is perfect, but the proposal put forward by Shoreham-based Futureform is promising.

Their homes are different.

They are cheaper, quicker to build and more sustainable than traditional homes.

They are proposing 800 homes on the site, with a focus on affordable properties for young adults, graduates and retirees.

This is exactly what we need.

Futureform do things differently. They operate almost like a car showroom.

You can pop into the office, pick out a home from the 11 models and select the fittings and fixtures you want. The home is then built in the factory before being delivered to the site.

Whether this is the future of homebuilding it is too early to tell, but it has worked well for Futureform so far.

What is also appealing about the project is the sustainability.

The construction industry is responsible for a staggering 65 per cent of all waste in the UK but Futureform’s technique reduces wastage by more than 95 per cent.

This all adds up to be a promising scheme which could deliver much needed new, affordable homes for the city.

Nothing is perfect, but Futureform’s proposal should not be dismissed out of hand.

There is potential and we should all take note of what the developer is offering.