'Redundant' space transformed into family home

A new family home has been built on a garden in Hove as part of a project that looks to transform unused sites into good quality housing.

Built through the Hidden Home project, the two-bedroom house on Martin Road is the latest addition to Brighton & Hove City Council's housing stock.

This house, which is the 30th delivered since this project began in 2019, is to be let at social rent to ensure it is affordable.

Councillor Gill Williams, chair of the housing and new homes committee, says the demand for housing in Brighton and Hove requires "truly innovative solutions".

She said: "The Hidden Homes project ensures that we make the best use of pockets of land and redundant spaces on our estates, which would otherwise serve no purpose and remain 'hidden', by transforming them into good quality, comfortable and sustainable new homes."

The new home on Martin Road has been built on land which was previously part of the garden of a neighbouring council house.

When the vacant home was due to be refurbished, the opportunity was taken to divide the original large garden to provide an additional home.

The house is designed to be energy efficient, with an air source heat pump heating system and solar panels to help reduce energy bills.

A bee brick and three swift bricks have also been installed to help enhance the local biodiversity.

Other homes built through the Hidden Homes project include a three-bedroom family house in Bevendean, and eight additional homes on the Bristol Estate.

A former office in Manor Hill, Whitehawk, has also been converted into two flats and a new house.

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