Proposals for a new 163 home mixed-use development located in Brighton & Hove have been submitted for planning. The Lyon Close scheme, which has been designed on behalf of developer Crest Nicholson, comprises one, two and three bedroomed apartments, in addition to 1,000 m2 of commercial space.

According to the project’s designers, Broadway Malyan, the aspiration for Lyon Close is to create a new community with a third of the apartments either affordable or earmarked for shared ownership, the layout principles including a well-designed environment for “community cohesion and a landscape that offers a sense of enclosure and privacy”.

The design includes four buildings ranging from five to 10 stories and an enclosed shared garden for all residents, accessible from each of the residential buildings. The landscaped gardens are also set to include dedicated children’s play space.

Broadway Malyan director Stuart Bertie, who has led the design project from the practice’s Weybridge studio, explained that while the project responded to its local context, the aim had been to create a scheme with its own architectural identity.

He said:

“This is a major development site in Hove and it was important that we designed a project that not only provided “much needed high quality housing in the area, but also responded positively to its surroundings”.

“The scheme is designed to be simple, clean and crisp with a clear architectural idea that is both contextual and forward-looking. We have chosen a material palette of three types of brick and perforated metal that complement the surroundings without being a pastiche of Brighton & Hove’s existing urban fabric.”

Stuart continued:

“As the design is simple in its approach, the detailing of the building is important with elements including metal vertical balustrading and corbelled brick details to the base storey that reference local historical buildings.

“The positioning of the buildings has been driven by place making principles with clear arrival spaces and legible entrances. The layout of the buildings allow long views through the landscaped gardens for neighbouring residents while the landscape itself is an archipelago of planted islands which creates a pedestrian focused environment, guiding movement and forming safe, usable spaces.”