SHW advises Hastings Borough Council on development site sale for 100% affordable housing scheme
SHW, on behalf of Hastings Borough Council, has sold a 12.35-acre site on Harrow Lane, Hastings, East Sussex to ilke Homes to deliver 140 affordable homes with excellent green credentials.
The freehold interest in the site was sold with outline planning consent for 140 homes. ilke Homes has partnered with Orbit Homes to deliver the affordable accommodation with works expected to start on site in the autumn of this year, the first homes being installed in summer 2023 and completion of the whole scheme in 2024.
Situated to the north of Hastings in a fantastic, elevated position, the site is located approximately 0.25 miles from the A21, providing great access into Central London via the national rail and road network, as well as to Brighton and Eastbourne to the west.
The entire scheme, which will deliver a mix of apartments and houses ranging in size from one to four bedrooms, will be gas-free, running on renewable power generated from air source heat pumps (ASHPs) and solar panels which will combine to help heat the homes more sustainably. 84 of the 140 homes will be zero-carbon, with every home fitted with an ASHP and solar panels which, when combined, will provide clean energy.
Peter Coldbreath, partner at SHW, comments: “We are very pleased to have achieved a sale at above asking price on behalf of Hastings Borough Council, delivering a buyer providing hugely important 100% affordable sector dwellings for the region and exceeding expectations for the carbon net zero proportion of the units.”
Cllr Maya Evans, deputy leader and portfolio holder for housing, commented: “We are absolutely delighted with the progress of this project, we have ensured these homes are affordable for local people, alongside addressing the climate emergency. We are very impressed with ilke Homes who have gone above and beyond in ensuring 84 homes are zero carbon, this means the energy they use will be 100% renewable, on top of fabric first sustainable building materials. Hastings Borough Council are now seeing the fruits of our vision, to provide high quality homes for people on low incomes, while playing an active role in reducing carbon emissions in our town. This is a very proud moment and just the start of more to come.”
Tom Heathcote, executive director of development at ilke Homes, says: “We have enjoyed working closely with Hastings Borough Council’s Estates Team and the local authorities planning department to bring forward our proposals for the site at Harrow Lane. Subject to the clearance of pre-commencement conditions, we are excited to commence on site later this year.”
