'Affordable' homes built on former civic centre site in Shoreham

Nearly 160 one, two and three-bedroom homes have been constructed on the site in Ham Road by housing association Hyde.

Adur District Council sold the site to Hyde, which has built a total of 159 ‘affordable’ homes – 53 for social rent and 106 for shared ownership – in January 2024.

The first tenants, from the council’s waiting list, are expected to move into their new homes in Silverleaf Court later this month, according to the authority.

The new homes have been designed to be energy efficient with solar panels and air source heat pump boosters for hot water. This means residents will benefit from ‘far lower’ fuel bills than in traditional homes, the council said.

Councillor Lee Cowen, Adur’s cabinet member for housing, added: “These great new homes will give dozens of our Adur households a better place to live, at a rent they can afford.

“Over the last couple of years we’ve been able to help hundreds of Adur families on our housing waiting list into new homes, but there are still many more who need assistance.

“We’re committed to ensuring the homes that Adur residents need are being built, in the right places and with the right infrastructure to allow our community to thrive.”

In the last 18 months, more than 160 Adur households have moved into newly-built homes on social rents that were constructed by private developers as part of agreements made with the council. This includes more than 50 at New Monks Park in Lancing, more than 20 at West Sompting and more than 90 into homes built by Hyde in Shoreham.

The developers are also funding improvements for the local community because of agreements made with the council – including investment in schools, libraries and NHS places, transport links, and parks and open spaces.

Sarah Poulter, Hyde’s regional development director – south, said: “We’re delighted these homes are nearly finished. We’re committed to creating diverse communities like this one, with a mix of social rent and shared ownership homes. Shared ownership is a fantastic way for people to get on the housing ladder.

“Together with our recently completed development at Kingston Wharf, we’ve delivered affordable homes for about 1,200 people in Shoreham over the past couple of years. We look forward to working with the council on more schemes in the future.”