Housing accelerator boosts construction in West Sussex

A further boost has been given to the Northern Arc project at Burgess Hill in West Sussex, with Homes England confirming more investment for the site.

An extra £63M from the Government’s Land Assembly will be provided, allowing the construction of key infrastructure for the project including: roads, a bridge, landscaping, drainage and utility works; to be accelerated, bringing the construction of some 1,250 homes forward.

The site will provide new family houses – including 30% affordable homes – with Countryside Properties UK being the first developer on site, building 460 Homes at the Freeks Farm area.

Countryside will start building the first phase of 460 homes in March 2020, on the east of the site. It is expected that these will be completed from December 2020, providing a mix of apartments and one- to four-bedroom houses. Their proposals prioritise design quality and use of Modern Methods of Construction.

Stephen Kinsella, Executive Director, Land at Homes England, said: “As the Government’s housing accelerator we’re using our land, money, powers and influence to make homes happen in the places they are most needed.

“This funding boost, alongside the appointment of the first developer, represents further great progress for the Northern Arc. We can now make move quickly towards starting on site and constructing quality new homes and facilities for the local community.”

Minister of State for Housing, Kit Malthouse MP, said: “Burgess Hill is a shining example of how our £1.3Bn Land Assembly Fund is rising to meet the challenge of delivering more, better, faster home construction – helping to deliver up to 3,500 extra homes for the people of Sussex.

“It’s all part of how this Government is supporting the delivery 300,000 new homes a year by the mid-2020s, helping a new generation to realise the dream of home ownership.”

Phillip Lyons, Chief Executive, Housebuilding at Countryside Properties, said: “Being able to influence the design and quality for this the first phase of the Northern Arc in Burgess Hill is very exciting. We at Countryside are incredibly proud to be a part of this fantastic project, working collaboratively with Homes England to create places people love.”

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