Insurance giant Legal & General has opened its new premises in Hove.

More than 1,800 staff will be based at the offices in City Park, on the site of the former Alliance & Leicester building in Orchard Road.

The official opening was conducted yesterday by the company's chairman Sir Rob Margetts and Vice Lord Lieutenant of East Sussex Peter Field yesterday.

The insurers have had a presence in Brighton and Hove for more than 30 years and said the move demonstrated its "commitment to the local community and economy".

However, nearby families have complained that less than 600 parking spaces for the customer service centre would mean many staff would park their cars in residential roads.

In a bid to minimise the impact of the offices on the environment the new building has systems in place to collect and reuse rainwater for bathrooms and for watering plants. It also boasts solar shading and energy-efficient heating.

Mark Gregory, director of UK operations at Legal & General, said: "As a company we are very committed to our corporate social responsibility programme and do all we can to operate our business in a sustainable environment.

"We will also continue with many more green initiatives in City Park, including a transport policy that promotes car sharing and use of public transport and offers bicycle discounts and season ticket loans."

Staff are being transferred from offices in Montefiore House, Montefiore Road, and Preece House to City Park, a new 200,000 sq ft residential and office development.

The site contains three self-contained office buildings being leased by Legal & General, along with 65 homes, 21 of which are low-cost affordable housing.

The decision to move last year ended months of uncertainty for staff but confirmed the company will stay in the city until 2025.

Tuesday, July 18, 2006