The controversial scheme for the development of the derelict 9 hectare site next to Brighton railway station has finally received planning permission and the new England Consortium are due to start work in summer.

Despite considerable opposition from a number of local conservation groups, masterplanners URBED who were consultants on the scheme believe that the development could become a text-book example of a sustainable urban neighbourhood for the 21st century. The development will have a new supermarket at its commercial heart but also 350 new homes, a language school, two hotels, offices and workshops. The most interesting part of the development is the minimal car parking space (192 spaces for the supermarket but virtually no residential or hotel provision) and the density of housing at over 100 units per hectare (government minimum is 30) with energy supplied by a state-of-the-art combined heat and power plant. More details from www.urbed.co.uk and www.new-england-consortium.co.uk