Client: Benfield Property Limited.

Description:  HCUK were first involved at this site when it was initially being considered as the location of a new housing allocation site in Brighton and Hove’s Local Plan. Two site allocations were created on either side of the road that crosses the green area. Our most recent involvement has been to support the preparation of final detailed designs for new housing. Benfield Valley is the name given to a long linear ribbon of green space extending from the South downs and the A27 into the built up area of Hove between the areas known as Hangleton and Portslade. ​​​

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Summary

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Heritage matters relevant to this site related to the presence and setting of a listed barn, Benfield Barn, and the small conservation area which was drawn tightly around the barn and a collection of ruined former agricultural buildings and a terrace of four Victorian Cottages. These had been built on the historic location of ‘Benfield Manor’. While the listed barn is in relatively good condition and used for leisure purposes, all other buildings within the conservation area are ruined, and the whole was identified as a Conservation Area at Risk.

 

The application process was complicated by the fact that on closer inspection the two sites allocated within the City Plan would have created disparate and disconnected clumps of housing, poorly linked to existing settlement and with a greater environmental impact. Detailed design and option consideration suggested that a more sensitive scheme, including better integration with and successful conversion of the heritage buildings, could be achieved by developing in only one area, effecting a ‘land swap’ and leaving the smaller of the two allocated sites undeveloped as a community park. 

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This project involved careful consideration of direct impacts to the listed barn and input into the most sensitive way to provide new uses within the ruined buildings within the conservation area. The setting of all the assets needed careful consideration, as well as the wider setting of more distant assets where the hilly topography suggested visual changes may be perceptible changing the way that they might be experienced.

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Key issues

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Heritage input was an important element of liaison with multiple local community consultees; a two day public consultation event and two consultations with an independent Design Review Panel. The integration and sensitive redevelopment of the conservation area’s ruined character was a core aspect of creating a unique new community and placemaking opportunity.

In April 2025 the scheme was supported at Committee for approval following officer recommendation to approve.