'˜Desperately-needed' housing to be provided at latest development

Social housing provider Hyde has pledged to deliver a mixed-use development for the Ropetackle North site, creating affordable housing and jobs and apprenticeships in the process.

Central to the organisation’s plans is the building of 120 homes, 22 per cent of which will be ‘affordable’.

David Gannicott, Hyde Group business development director said: “Not only will this development provide much-needed affordable homes for local people, but they will also enable us to create jobs and apprenticeships during construction, helping to boost the local economy.”

Hyde is working with Adur District Council to bring forward a planning application, expected to include a mix of family houses, apartments, shops and offices, as well as new public open space and improved riverside walks.

Outline permission was granted for Ropetackle North, in Old Shoreham Road, in 2013, including the addition of a 70-bed hotel, food store and riverfront café.

Hyde’s announcement this week was welcomed by Adur District Council cabinet member for regeneration Pat Beresford.

He said: “We have supported the principle of development on that site. The fact the council approved the outline application says a lot about how we view the site and the fact we want it developed.

“The fact Hyde is a social landlord means it is likely we will get a relatively huge amount of public sector housing on it. Adur is in desperate need of social landlords developing sites for public use.”

Council leader Neil Parkin said Hyde – one of the largest housing associations in England – had a proven track record.

The organisation currently manages around 50,000 homes nationwide.

Mr Parkin said: “We are delighted to see an organisation with a track record like the Hyde Group investing in the Ropetackle North site in Adur.

“Delivering new commercial premises and housing in Adur is a key priority for our ambition to grow our local economy. As one of the largest social landlords in the south east, Hyde’s commitment to building affordable housing and sustainable communities is well established.

“Their plans to deliver new homes will play an important role in helping the council meet housing needs in Adur.”

The council will need to determine a full planning application before works commence on the site.

Across the town, meanwhile, another housing development is nearing completion.

The former Inland Revenue offices, Norfolk House, is being converted into nine homes.

Mr Beresford said he was impressed by the quality of the building work.

“It is a revelation how it has changed from what it was. When the Inland Revenue were in there it was a ‘slab’ building and very 1960s,” he said.

“I think they have done a good job on it in terms of the river scene.”

The cabinet member said the council was initially concerned by proposals to change legislation before the works started, which would allow office blocks to be redeveloped without the benefit of planning permission.

But he said the scheme which eventually came forward for the building was of high quality.

“For a little place there is an awful lot going on in Adur at the moment,” he added.