£100m public square to create 500 jobs
Plans for the £100 million redevelopment of a trading estate are expected to create 500 jobs.
Developers want to transform the Sackville Trading Estate in Hove into a public square surrounded by 170 homes, shops, restaurants, offices and a supermarket.
The new flats will be large, in response to Brighton and Hove City Council's request for family-sized homes, and all will have access to roof terraces.
Parkridge Developments held a two-day exhibition for residents and businesses at Hove Methodist Church so that the emerging plans could be reviewed.
Philip O'Callaghan, managing director of Parkridge, said despite the difficult economic outlook, the scheme would be built if given planning permission.
He said: "We spoke to over 250 people at our exhibition and received a lot of positive feedback and suggestions - especially for the public square we are proposing.
"The feedback we received has informed our design which we now feel truly reflects the local communityís aspirations for the area.
"With the current economic situation causing so many other schemes in the city to be delayed, we would like to reassure the local community that if we achieve planning permission this is a scheme that Parkridge, in conjunction with the owners of the site Coal Pension Properties Ltd, will undertake.
"The Waterfront development at Brighton Marina took Parkridge 15 months to build following planning permission and has rejuvenated this area of the Marina."
The investment of around £100 million includes 72 affordable homes targeted at key-workers, underground car parking and improvements to pedestrian crossings and the look of Sackville Road.
Nine large shops will be on site including a 2,500sqm supermarket, half the size of the Tesco in Church Road, Hove.
Offices will be spilt between the two buildings in Sackville Road and aimed at small to medium-sized companies.
Concerns have been raised that the redevelopment will add to jams in an already congested area.
Parkridge have said changes to the junction at the Old Shoreham Road and the entrance to the site on Sackville Road were being discussed with the council.
The proposed public square, said to be Hove's first in over 100 years, will include trees, contemporary furniture, lighting and host community events.
The plans also aim to be sustainable with extensive roof gardens, improved bus facilities, car clubs and car share schemes and investment in the cycle network.
Developers hope the scheme will be finished by the end of 2010 if it receives planning permission.
What do you think of the plans? Join the debate below.
12:05pm Thursday 8th May 2008
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CommentPosted by: Flat Foot Soozie, Brunswick Square on 12:23pm Thu 8 May 08
These scehmes always come with a promise to "create" jobs, 500 in this case. That sometimes includes construction jobs - that is not clear here. But, in any case, the permament jobs are often of a mundane nature and, what's more, are dependent upon customers who are not going to spend their money there as well as at other places.
So whatever jobs are "created" at Sackville, this entails a loss of them elsewhere.
More shops, bars, stores, and restaurants, it's hardly a thrilling news story, especially at a time when people are cutting back on spending in such places.
These scehmes always come with a promise to "create" jobs, 500 in this case. That sometimes includes construction jobs - that is not clear here. But, in any case, the permament jobs are often of a mundane nature and, what's more, are dependent upon customers who are not going to spend their money there as well as at other places.
So whatever jobs are "created" at Sackville, this entails a loss of them elsewhere.
More shops, bars, stores, and restaurants, it's hardly a thrilling news story, especially at a time when people are cutting back on spending in such places.
Posted by: tim, brighton on 12:31pm Thu 8 May 08
Another dull scheme that has to be financed by Tesco. These exciting schemes bring no real jobs or community benefit just drain the local area to satisfy tescopoly.
Another dull scheme that has to be financed by Tesco. These exciting schemes bring no real jobs or community benefit just drain the local area to satisfy tescopoly.
Posted by: J, Hove on 2:26pm Thu 8 May 08
[quote][bold]Another David[/bold] wrote:
5000 square foot Tesco in Church Road 5000 square foot Co-op next to the Greyhound Stadium 2000 foot co-op in Blatchington Road and all the planners can come up with is another bloody supermarket. Welcome to Brighton & Hove the Drug Death, Aids, Supermarket capitol of the UK[/quote] Just as well you are well out of it in Haywards Heath then, isn't it? Don't come visit any soon.
Another David wrote:
5000 square foot Tesco in Church Road 5000 square foot Co-op next to the Greyhound Stadium 2000 foot co-op in Blatchington Road and all the planners can come up with is another bloody supermarket. Welcome to Brighton & Hove the Drug Death, Aids, Supermarket capitol of the UK
Just as well you are well out of it in Haywards Heath then, isn't it? Don't come visit any soon.
Posted by: Colin, Brighton on 3:51pm Thu 8 May 08
I would not worry to much their were grand plans for the old army barracks on the lewis road but it has just sat their for years becoming a sh*thole.
I would not worry to much their were grand plans for the old army barracks on the lewis road but it has just sat their for years becoming a sh*thole.
Posted by: mark, brighton on 7:06pm Thu 8 May 08
will it be a jamie oliver cafe? this project is so 07.. yes so the shops oon the site now will shut? people out of work? and open a supermarket? and some bars? original idea!! and flats for key workers, these flats will be advertised in london papers for key workers from london to relocate on the cheap, putting locals out of work. great idea.
will it be a jamie oliver cafe? this project is so 07.. yes so the shops oon the site now will shut? people out of work? and open a supermarket? and some bars? original idea!! and flats for key workers, these flats will be advertised in london papers for key workers from london to relocate on the cheap, putting locals out of work. great idea.
Posted by: mikey, hove on 8:18pm Thu 8 May 08
A public square! What a wonderful idea! hang on, on the [italic]Sackville Trading Estate[/italic] . As if people will flock there to enjoy the new 'public space'. Its just a Tesco-smokescreen. What a desolate, soulless area that will be. Almost like the rear of the old churchill square during the late 80's.
A public square! What a wonderful idea! hang on, on the
Sackville Trading Estate . As if people will flock there to enjoy the new 'public space'. Its just a Tesco-smokescreen. What a desolate, soulless area that will be. Almost like the rear of the old churchill square during the late 80's.
Posted by: peter, brighton on 8:50pm Thu 8 May 08
colin remember that the old barracks in lewes road is full up with thriving firms and employing many local people not just fantasyreal people
colin remember that the old barracks in lewes road is full up with thriving firms and employing many local people not just fantasyreal people
Posted by: jim, hove on 8:56pm Thu 8 May 08
more offices when will it sink in that this city does not need any more offices there are plenty of empty ones. what we need is industrial units that gives real employment so go back to the drawing board and come up with a proper plan the well benifite the whole city
more offices when will it sink in that this city does not need any more offices there are plenty of empty ones. what we need is industrial units that gives real employment so go back to the drawing board and come up with a proper plan the well benifite the whole city
Posted by: jayne, hove on 12:39am Fri 9 May 08
it is an odd place to think people will flock,but as long as it is tasteful like jubilee st and not tacky like some milton keynes shopping centre as it looked on the plans then maybe this will be good. I will miss focus, halfords etc., and the more industrial feel, i wouldnt want to live on a public square over a shopping centre, my idea of noise hell, like most of the flats being developed in b and h.
it is an odd place to think people will flock,but as long as it is tasteful like jubilee st and not tacky like some milton keynes shopping centre as it looked on the plans then maybe this will be good. I will miss focus, halfords etc., and the more industrial feel, i wouldnt want to live on a public square over a shopping centre, my idea of noise hell, like most of the flats being developed in b and h.
Posted by: Dufus, Hove on 2:53pm Fri 9 May 08
I really don't get the point of this idea. I didn't see the exhibition but Sackville trading estate serves a purpose and has not reached the end of its economic life. We do not need another 'centre' - where would visitors park?? it would only draw shoppers away from other centres. its just an excuse to use the site for a mixed use, higher density, development with a load of flats. if we are going into a market downturn, this will not be built!
I really don't get the point of this idea. I didn't see the exhibition but Sackville trading estate serves a purpose and has not reached the end of its economic life. We do not need another 'centre' - where would visitors park?? it would only draw shoppers away from other centres. its just an excuse to use the site for a mixed use, higher density, development with a load of flats. if we are going into a market downturn, this will not be built!
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