West Sussex County Council and Lovell Partnerships have unveiled a new housing initiative aiming to deliver 600 homes in the county as part of their 30-year collaboration.

The first phase of the project, featuring 22 affordable homes, is under construction on a brownfield site in Southwick, formerly Eastbrook Primary School. These homes will offer two, three, and four-bedroom options, all equipped with air source heat pumps to reduce the development’s carbon footprint. Additionally, measures such as bat boxes, hedgehog highways, and tree planting will be implemented to protect local biodiversity.

Councillor Jeremy Hunt, cabinet member for finance and property at West Sussex County Council, expressed his enthusiasm: “I’m delighted to see the first Kinsted development, as part of our joint venture with Lovell Partnerships, take shape. Everyone involved is committed to enhancing communities across the county by providing high-quality sustainable places to live. By making use of operationally surplus brownfield land in this way we are not only making best use of our resources – a key element of our council plan – but we are also creating a legacy of vibrant and inclusive places to live for existing communities and future generations.”

Leanne Smith, director at Lovell Southern, highlighted the necessity for such a development: “A need for high-quality family homes in the area was identified – somewhere families can become part of the community and build a future. Part of our mission through Kinsted is to provide much needed housing by investing in the regeneration of land declared surplus within West Sussex. By bringing these areas back to life, established local communities will be able to make the most of the natural beauty the county has to offer. We’re excited to be creating our first new development at Southwick, which is the first of many that will prioritise quality, sustainability, and innovation to drive positive change and support local communities. Our homes and community spaces are spacious, welcoming, and ideally located – providing residents with the opportunity to make the most of the county’s beautiful coastlines, serene countryside, and vibrant urban centres.”