South East England Development Agency (SEEDA)

Preston Barracks, Brighton, East Sussex  

Preston Barracks was previously owned by the Ministry of Defence and had been in military use since the 1790s until it was bought by Brighton and Hove City Council in 2002. Financial assistance was provided by the South East England Development Agency (SEEDA) through the Single Regeneration Budget (SRB).

Preston Barracks site is of strategic importance in respect of employment and is an urban gateway to Brighton & Hove from the 'Academic Corridor' (close to Brighton & Sussex Universities).

A project steering group comprising of representatives from the City Council, SEEDA and the Brighton & Hove Regeneration Partnership commissioned Gillespies (in partnership with GVA Grimley and Oxford Architects) to prepare a master plan for the site.

A development brief and Supplementary Planning Guidance were prepared and agreed to support the development competition.

The Preston Barracks Steering Group has now selected a preferred developer.

The groundbreaking, contemporary proposal by a consortium of Wilson Bowden, CDHA (part of Hyde Housing) and Broadway Malayan Architects, will create over 1,000 local jobs, 412 homes of which 40% will be affordable, 20,000 square metres of business space with an innovation centre and community facilities.