Construction View Issue 39 2021 | Page 6

6 News

PLANS REVEALED FOR NEW MIXED-USE REGENERATION DEVELOPMENT IN BRIGHTON

Following the recent planning approval of a new mixed-use student accommodation development in central Brighton , developer McLaren Property reveals what the local community can expect from the scheme .
Located on London Road , within Brighton ’ s regeneration area , the development will see an outdated building being replaced with new sustainable retail units and student apartments .
McLaren Property is working alongside Morgan Carn Architects and engineering consultancy Howard Ward Associates ( HWA ) to deliver the five-storey build , which will feature 156 student bedrooms with a reception area and communal interior and exterior spaces .
New retail units will make up the ground floor of the development , presenting an entirely refreshed shop frontage which holds a prominent position among London Road ’ s high street stores .
Part of the New England Quarter and London Road Development Area , where regeneration is actively encouraged by Brighton & Hove City Council , the new scheme will see the former Marks and Spencer site completely transformed – complete with a 24 / 7 security presence to manage the building .
As part of the environmentally friendly design , the building will achieve a BREEAM ( Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method ) rating of ‘ Excellent ’ and will feature solar panels on a green roof .
Further sustainable features include air source heat pumps as its primary heat source and planted outdoor spaces – including trees – which will be maintained using recycled rainwater . The development will also be car-free and have cycle route access and storage spaces .
The demand for quality , affordable student accommodation in Brighton continues to be a pertinent issue , with only 25 % of the city ’ s student community living in purpose-built student housing .
The new purpose-built London Road development could also free up some of the many former family homes that have been converted into HMOs to house students , potentially allowing local residents to stay in Brighton and attracting new house hunters to the area .
Midlands-based HWA has been appointed to provide structural engineering to the project , with construction due to begin in Mid 2022 .
Dan Bailey , director at HWA , said : “ We are really pleased to be working with McLaren on the London Road development following planning approval – transforming what is currently an inefficient and underutilised site into much-needed student accommodation and fresh new retail units .
“ The site presents a great opportunity to enhance the local area and contribute dramatically to the ongoing regeneration efforts on both sides of the site . We have been involved with the planning and design for this build since the beginning , working with McLaren Property , to provide our civil and structural engineering expertise to this scheme through the pre purchase and pre planning project stages .”
David Atherton , development director at McLaren Property , said : “ We are very excited about the potential for this development - to contribute positively towards the regeneration of this important area within the city .
“ Removal of the existing building means Providence Place Square can finally become a welcoming and successful inner city green space to be used by local residents . Students contribute vitally to the local economy and by occupying purpose-built student accommodation rather than HMOs , there is an opportunity to free up those local houses to local families . “ High quality design is at the heart of every project that we undertake and McLaren Property , together with our consultant team , is committed to delivering buildings that help drive positive change .”
Following the COVID-19 pandemic , students have a preference towards living in dedicated accommodation with larger living spaces , premium Wi-Fi , 24-hour security and communal areas , rather than living in HMOs ( housing of multiple occupancy ), McLaren Property says .
Brighton ’ s student population sits at almost 34,000 , with the University of Brighton and the University of Sussex proving to be popular choices for studying . The new city centre London Road development lies just one mile away from the University of Brighton ’ s main city campus .