Huge office complex set for edge of city
By Lawrence Marzouk
A derelict farm site on the outskirts of Brighton is to be redeveloped as a regional HQ for a major company.
The Argus understands that the front-runner is a Brighton-based business looking to relocate in the city.
A well-placed source suggested last night that Lloyds TSB, currently based in Gloucester Place, Brighton, which employs 1,800 people in the city, was in the running.
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But a spokesman for the bank was unable to comment when contacted.
Patcham Court Farm, at the junction of the A23 and A27, has been vacant for 15 years and was the proposed site for a new park-and-ride scheme.
The proposal was eventually rejected by councillors last year and if, as expected, the office scheme is given the green light next week it will rule out any future plans for a similar project on site.
The council is set to reconsider park-and-ride options after the May elections and will trawl through previously proposed sites, including land at Braypool.
Last November an international marketing campaign was launched to find a suitor for the land, attracting 26 bids.
Offers ranged from £1 million to £5 million and the council's policy and resources committee will next week decide which package to accept.
The proposed development, which has been recommended by officers, is a high-quality office complex with two and three storey buildings and 180 car spaces.
Unlike the previous park-and-ride scheme, the project will not involve building on nearby allotments and houses.
Selection criteria included money offered, design, credibility and track record of the developer, funding and benefits to the city.
The leading developer has already secured an agreement for a major company to move into the offices.
Council leader Simon Burgess said: "The offer we're considering looks like a really good deal for the city.
"It is particularly good that the developer has a big client ready to move in so the whole site and building won't stand empty with 'to let' boards up for a long period.
"It gives local taxpayers a good return on the sale of this public asset.
"Better still, it boosts the local economy by becoming the site of hundreds of jobs for local people."
Councillor Bill Randall, who sits on the policy and resources committee, said building offices was a missed opportunity.
The Green councillor has pushed for the site to become a Community Land Trust, a non-for-profit organisation which buys land for the benefit of the community to build affordable housing and communal facilities.
He said: "It is a missed opportunity but I cannot attack it if it is going to bring jobs to the city."
The policy committee will consider the plan on March 29 at Hove Town Hall. If councillors agree to sell the land, the developer would still need to secure planning permission from the council for the scheme.
By Lawrence Marzouk
A derelict farm site on the outskirts of Brighton is to be redeveloped as a regional HQ for a major company.
The Argus understands that the front-runner is a Brighton-based business looking to relocate in the city.
A well-placed source suggested last night that Lloyds TSB, currently based in Gloucester Place, Brighton, which employs 1,800 people in the city, was in the running.
advertisement
But a spokesman for the bank was unable to comment when contacted.
Patcham Court Farm, at the junction of the A23 and A27, has been vacant for 15 years and was the proposed site for a new park-and-ride scheme.
The proposal was eventually rejected by councillors last year and if, as expected, the office scheme is given the green light next week it will rule out any future plans for a similar project on site.
The council is set to reconsider park-and-ride options after the May elections and will trawl through previously proposed sites, including land at Braypool.
Last November an international marketing campaign was launched to find a suitor for the land, attracting 26 bids.
Offers ranged from £1 million to £5 million and the council's policy and resources committee will next week decide which package to accept.
The proposed development, which has been recommended by officers, is a high-quality office complex with two and three storey buildings and 180 car spaces.
Unlike the previous park-and-ride scheme, the project will not involve building on nearby allotments and houses.
Selection criteria included money offered, design, credibility and track record of the developer, funding and benefits to the city.
The leading developer has already secured an agreement for a major company to move into the offices.
Council leader Simon Burgess said: "The offer we're considering looks like a really good deal for the city.
"It is particularly good that the developer has a big client ready to move in so the whole site and building won't stand empty with 'to let' boards up for a long period.
"It gives local taxpayers a good return on the sale of this public asset.
"Better still, it boosts the local economy by becoming the site of hundreds of jobs for local people."
Councillor Bill Randall, who sits on the policy and resources committee, said building offices was a missed opportunity.
The Green councillor has pushed for the site to become a Community Land Trust, a non-for-profit organisation which buys land for the benefit of the community to build affordable housing and communal facilities.
He said: "It is a missed opportunity but I cannot attack it if it is going to bring jobs to the city."
The policy committee will consider the plan on March 29 at Hove Town Hall. If councillors agree to sell the land, the developer would still need to secure planning permission from the council for the scheme.
