RESIDENTS are being urged to have their say on future developments before a consultation closes next week - including plans to build homes on greenfield sites.

Earlier this year, Brighton and Hove City Council published its blueprint for key housing development areas over the next ten years.

The City Plan Part Two lists more than 50 sites which could be used for housing or “mixed-use” types of development.

The proposals include 16 sites which make up seven per cent of the “urban fringe”, on the green outskirts of Brighton and Hove, including sites in Coldean and Whitehawk and Benfield Valley in Portslade.

These sites have been included as part of the council’s aims to reach its minimum target of 13,200 new homes, which was set out in the Part One plan.

However, this target only meets 44 per cent of the city’s housing need, which was assessed as 30,000 new homes in 2015.

The national planning inspector told the council to “leave no stone unturned” to meet the city’s need for housing in 2013, and the council has allocated sites on the urban fringe in the plan to help meet the housing need.

The proposals support the City Plan Part One, published in 2016, which set out how the council aims to provide more affordable homes, reduce carbon emissions, create employment opportunities and support economic recovery.

The plan also highlights seven strategic allocations for brownfield sites in the city which the council has earmarked for regeneration.

These include Brighton General Hospital, where there is provision for a new health hub alongside new housing and community facilities.

Other strategic sites include the Combined Engineering Depot on New England Road, which could be used for housing and employment space, and land at Lyon Close and the Sackville Trading Estate in Hove.

These sites have been identified for potential housing, employment, retail and community facilities development.

The Argus: Cllr Marianna EbelCllr Marianna Ebel

Councillor Marianna Ebel, chairwoman of the tourism, equalities, communities and culture committee said: “The plan will help to ensure the right amount of development takes place in the right places and allocated sites that come forward for new development are managed to secure the type of higher quality development needed in the city.”

“Setting out site allocations gives us better local control over what is developed on these sites.

“This will enable us to ensure developments deliver the type of homes, jobs, business space, health and other local facilities that the city needs.”

To comment on the document, visit consultations.brighton-hove.gov.uk or email planningpolicy@brighton-hove.gov.uk by next Friday, October 30.

All representations will be considered at the plan examination by an independent Planning Inspector appointed by the government, expected to take place early next year.