CKC Properties Ltd is making a second attempt to secure permission to let its student accommodation to young professionals. The firm has faced significant challenges in filling the two blocks of purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) located at Holden Court, 35 Hollingdean Road in Brighton. This struggle has prompted the developer to seek a shift in the property’s usage, reflecting the evolving demands in the local housing market.
The initial planning rejection
Last year, in October, CKC Properties applied to Brighton and Hove City Council to amend a condition from the original 2021 planning permission, which stipulated that the rooms could only be rented to students. The application was rejected, with officials citing concerns regarding the impact on the local housing mix. They also highlighted the lack of sufficient evidence demonstrating why the PBSA could not operate successfully as student accommodation alone.
Current appeal to the Planning Inspectorate
In response to the council’s refusal, CKC Properties has lodged an appeal with the Planning Inspectorate, aiming to overturn the decision. The appeal is supported by a statement from planning consultancy Third Revolution Projects, which outlines that the accommodation has experienced partial occupancy during term times, but current market conditions have rendered it unviable as solely PBSA. The statement underscores that low demand has led to a significant proportion of the scheme remaining vacant over the past two academic terms.
As per the appeal documents, occupancy rates for the 2025/26 academic year have been recorded at only 70%, resulting in considerable financial losses for the developer. The statement argues that the existing setup is not effectively serving the housing needs of the city, with high-quality accommodation left unused. CKC Properties is therefore seeking to allow these vacant units to be let to non-students, while still retaining the option for student occupancy.
Implications for the local housing market
The appeal posits that maintaining the potential for the entire scheme to be available for students in the future will not change the overall housing mix in Brighton. Instead, it introduces much-needed flexibility that could benefit the non-student population by allowing the utilisation of currently unoccupied units. The property at Holden Court includes 135 studio bedrooms with shared facilities, constructed on a site previously designated by the council for student housing.
It is noteworthy that both CKC Properties and the original applicant, SE Properties, share a common company director, Geoffrey Thomas, aged 66. This connection raises questions about the strategic direction of the project and its alignment with the broader objectives of the local housing strategy.
For further details, the appeal documents can be accessed by searching for reference BH2025/02490 on the council’s official website. The outcome of this appeal could have significant implications for the PBSA market in Brighton, particularly concerning the balance between student and non-student accommodation.