Two major development projects will provide 218 new homes at New England Square in Brighton and One Hove Park [formerly Park House; see earlier story] in Hove. Work is expected to begin at both sites before March 2013.

In addition, 126 new homes are already being developed by Hyde at Viaduct Lofts in Lewes Road and the Open Market in London Road, bringing the total number of new homes Hyde in the city to 344. Of this total 209 (61%) will be affordable housing offering a mix of rent and part buy / part rent new units under the shared ownership scheme.

The new homes will be developed to level 4 of the Code for Sustainable Homes, with the fabric of the building designed to be highly insulated to reduce fuel bills and to cut carbon emissions. The developments will also feature modern technologies including mechanical ventilation & heat recovery units and photovoltaic solar panels to generate green energy. An extra feature of both developments will be the incorporation of food growing space, with rooftop allotments and communal garden spaces provided for residents.

Hyde is also investing in the provision of training and apprenticeship opportunities for local people. At the Open Market development Hyde has worked with its contractor, Denne Construction, to set up and fund a Skills Academy, supporting 17 apprenticeships and creating hundreds of work experience opportunities for local people.

Hyde intends to implement this same apprenticeship and training model across all its development sites in the city, enabling many more local people to benefit from the opportunity to gain formal qualifications and to equip themselves with the necessary skills needed to go on to secure employment.

John Tibbitts, Hyde’s Group Business Development Director said: “I am very pleased to be able to announce this major boost to the supply of new homes and jobs in Brighton & Hove, at a time when they are most needed. Hyde’s investment is a significant vote of confidence in the city. I am particularly proud of Hyde’s commitment to continue funding construction training and apprenticeship opportunities during this difficult economic period, and I look forward to seeing local people prosper, both now and in the future, through participating in Hyde’s skills academy programme”.

Councillor Jason Kitcat, Leader of Brighton & Hove City Council said: “Hyde’s announcement about this significant development which will help deliver homes, jobs and training opportunities in Brighton & Hove, is very welcome. It is very much a ‘feather in the cap’ for the city at a time when other areas in the south east are seeing developments stall and much reduced house building activity. We are committed to delivering more housing for Brighton & Hove and this announcement signifies that our approach to attracting the right type of investment in to the city is bearing fruit”.