The challenge of housing the city's population

The scale of the housing crisis facing Brighton and Hove is unprecedented. An under-supply of housing means the city now has to face up to the challenge of delivering up to 24,000 new homes between now and 2030.

The scale of the challenge is far-reaching and touches all sections of the community. Brighton and Hove is an attractive place to live, study, work, and visit. The basic issue is that demand for all types of housing in Brighton and Hove far outstrips supply.

The latest draft Brighton and Hove City Council housing strategy document highlights the need for about 18,000 affordable homes to be constructed in the city by 2017.

The simple truth is that - in common with the rest of the United Kingdom - Brighton and Hove has not built enough homes to keep pace with demand as the population has grown.

Through the familiar cycles of property boom and bust, regardless of economic conditions and under every complexion of council administration, not enough homes have been built. In particular, given the scarcity of land in the city, there is a dearth of sites that are capable of supporting the development of family-size houses - for which there is high demand, as the city continues to prove popular with families.

Brighton and Hove is crying out for a positive vision to provide an answer to the housing crisis that is unfolding. New solutions are needed so that the city can meet the needs of its existing and future residents. Doing nothing, maintaining the status quo, would have serious implications for the aspirations and life chances of both current and future generations of Brighton and Hove residents.

According to Rightmove, the average house price in Brighton and Hove in 2013 hit £330,000, with house price inflation of about 11% in that year. For those for whom home-ownership or affordable rented housing was not an option, the cost of private renting increased by more than 7% in 2013.

Data from the Department for Communities and Local Government shows that median house-price-to-earnings ratio in the city in 2013 was in excess of 10 times earnings. Conventional wisdom among mortgage lenders is that approximately four times income would be affordable.

Simple economics dictates that as supply increases to keep pace with demand, prices will stabilise. Therefore, it is vitally important that house building increases for all types of accommodation whether affordable housing, privately rented, or homes for sale on the open market.

The scale of the challenge feels almost insurmountable. The answer, however, is actually really straightforward: to get the homes built that the city and its residents badly need.

Land needs to be re-zoned to be allocated for housing and densities need to be increased on sites where the opportunity exists. And a push skyward to build taller. Misconceptions about apartment living in taller buildings should not hold back well-designed tall buildings.

Judicious allocation of certain "urban fringe" sites is also a significant part of the answer. These sites offer the opportunity to construct high-quality family- size homes with car parking and gardens, which brownfield sites in the city centre do not lend themselves to.

Plans for one of the first urban fringe sites at Falmer Avenue in Saltdean have recently been submitted to Brighton and Hove City Council for planning. A decision is due early this year. I hope that they are passed; 36 family-size homes with 40% for affordable housing would make a significant contribution to the needs of families looking for good quality homes in Brighton and Hove.

[boxEd Allison-Wright is a Brighton-based property developer and strategic consultant