Moulsecoomb Place
A regeneration project
in Brighton.
Moulsecoomb Place
A regeneration project in Brighton.
| Project Type | Urban regeneration |
| Status: | Pre-construction |
| Dwellings: | 566 student bedrooms |
| Other Uses: | Community space, public park |
| Key Sustainability target: | BREEAM Excellent |
| Partners: | Cathedral Group, MTRE |
| Project team: | Studio Egret West, NTR Planning, Useful Projects, City Designer |
New student accommodation and the regeneration of historic heritage buildings.
Since early 2022, TOWN has been working alongside Cathedral Group on plans for the regeneration of Moulsecoomb Place, an 18th century Manor House in Brighton, alongside 566 new student bedrooms that will help to address the acute shortfall of student accommodation in the city.
TOWN was appointed as development manager by Cathedral Group, and has been responsible for leading and overseeing the professional team, preparing planning applications for the student accommodation and listed building renovation, as well as devising and implementing the engagement strategy and programme of meanwhile activity on site.
At the heart of the project is a restored Manor House and associated barns, which will house a new pub and event space, opening up an important heritage asset to the public for the first time.
| Project Type | Urban regeneration |
| Status: | Pre-construction |
| Dwellings: | 566 student bedrooms |
| Other Uses: | Community space, public park |
| Key Sustainability target: | BREEAM Excellent |
| Partners: | Cathedral Group, MTRE |
| Project team: | Studio Egret West, NTR Planning, Useful Projects, City Designer |
New student accommodation and the regeneration of historic heritage buildings.
Since early 2022, TOWN has been working alongside Cathedral Group on plans for the regeneration of Moulsecoomb Place, an 18th century Manor House in Brighton, alongside 566 new student bedrooms that will help to address the acute shortfall of student accommodation in the city.
At the heart of the project is a restored Manor House and associated barns, which will house a new pub and event space, opening up an important heritage asset to the public for the first time.
TOWN was appointed as development manager by Cathedral Group, and has been responsible for leading and overseeing the professional team, preparing planning applications for the student accommodation and listed building renovation, as well as devising and implementing the engagement strategy and programme of meanwhile activity on site.
At the heart of the project is a restored Manor House and associated barns, which will house a new pub and event space, opening up an important heritage asset to the public for the first time.
Detailed Planning Permission for the site was granted in principle at Hove Town Hall in April 2023 by Brighton & Hove City Council.
Detailed Planning Permission for the site was granted in principle at Hove Town Hall in April 2023 by Brighton & Hove City Council.
The regeneration of the oldest secular building in the city into a space for the community.
The regeneration of the oldest secular building in the city into a space for the community.
Public realm improvements will make the gardens and Moulsecoomb station more accessible to local residents. Landscaping and planting aim to create a twelve percent biodiversity net gain on-site. The landscaping upgrades include new habitat provision and incorporate sustainable drainage features.
Alongside the restored heritage buildings and grounds, the scheme comprises 566 new student rooms within close proximity of the University of Brighton’s Moulsecoomb Campus. As well as four residential blocks, the scheme will provide a gym and well-being studio. Land has also been allocated for a Brighton Bikeshare hub in the northern part of the development next to Moulsecoomb Station.
Public realm improvements will make the gardens and Moulsecoomb station more accessible to local residents. Landscaping and planting aim to create a twelve percent biodiversity net gain on-site. The landscaping upgrades include new habitat provision and incorporate sustainable drainage features.
Alongside the restored heritage buildings and grounds, the scheme comprises 566 new student rooms within close proximity of the University of Brighton’s Moulsecoomb Campus. As well as four residential blocks, the scheme will provide a gym and well-being studio. Land has also been allocated for a Brighton Bikeshare hub in the northern part of the development next to Moulsecoomb Station.
TOWN’s community engagement was a critical part of the project’s success. The team worked to forge and maintain connections across the community with Councillors, local groups, organisations and individuals embedded in the needs and views of the local populations. This effort enabled the team to gain valuable insight into the community’s aspirations and priorities for the project.
Two major public engagement events were held on-site in 2022, attracting over 450 local people. These consultations allowed us to shape the emerging proposals with the public and engage in discussions related to the rejuvenation and future use of the listed buildings as well as sustainability commitments and movement around the site and wider area.
“The scheme has the potential to have a huge positive impact both for the local community and wider city”
Debra Humphris,
Vice Chancellor, University of Brighton
The scheme has the potential to have a huge positive impact both for the local community and wider city
Debra Humphris,
Vice Chancellor, University of Brighton
TOWN also led a programme of targeted outreach activities to identify an appropriate user group or operator for a dedicated community space in the ground floor of one of the student blocks. Through this process, we were able to identify local needs and shape a community space that would provide immediate, tangible benefits to the surrounding area.
Meanwhile activation at Moulsecoomb Place saw the relocation of Brighton Festival’s Riwaq to the lawns to animate the space and bring the festival to the often-overlooked outskirts of city. The site has helped to house a local foodbank – a critical resource for the community, as well as become to setting for local events such as community picnics, fundraisers, and performances, all supported by a café in an Airstream. This once-neglected green space now supports multiple community initiatives and is becoming a park for local people to enjoy.
TOWN led the approach to sustainability for the project, adopting an approach that goes beyond regulatory requirements in various areas in relation to sustainability, and aiming for an ‘Excellent’ rating from BREEAM. The development follows a gas-free, all-electric approach, with a focus on heat pumps. The design incorporates stringent airtightness targets, mechanical ventilation with heat recovery, and on-site solar renewable electricity generation. It surpasses Part L 2013 building regulation requirements by 30%.
Careful consideration was given to sunlight, shading, and acoustic requirements. This comprehensive approach has eliminated the need for mechanical cooling, further enhancing the efficiency of the project. A thorough pre-demolition survey was conducted to maximise opportunities for re-use of existing materials and minimise embodied carbon throughout the design process.
TOWN led the approach to sustainability for the project, adopting an approach that goes beyond regulatory requirements in various areas in relation to sustainability, and aiming for an ‘Excellent’ rating from BREEAM. The development follows a gas-free, all-electric approach, with a focus on heat pumps. The design incorporates stringent airtightness targets, mechanical ventilation with heat recovery, and on-site solar renewable electricity generation. It surpasses Part L 2013 building regulation requirements by 30%.
Careful consideration was given to sunlight, shading, and acoustic requirements. This comprehensive approach has eliminated the need for mechanical cooling, further enhancing the efficiency of the project. A thorough pre-demolition survey was conducted to maximise opportunities for re-use of existing materials and minimise embodied carbon throughout the design process.
Find out more
More detailed information about the project can be found on the dedicated project website https://moulsecoombplace.com/
