3 weeks Ago
Hove residents are joining forces to save a line of garages behind their properties and prevent the possibility of a new housing development. The residents on Wilbury Road in Hove are urgently seeking more community members to join them in purchasing a line of garages at the rear of their properties, as the space is set to be sold at auction at the end of the month. The group are rallying together to prevent the garages from being sold off to an unknown buyer - who they think could perhaps try and redevelop the area.
READ MORE: Customers queue for hours for bakery's legendary hot cross buns Many of the residents have lived in their properties for more than 25 years, raising their families there and feel unsettled about the change of ownership and what this could bring. The residents are rallying together to save the garages, (Image: Newsquest) For the homeowners, the garages act as much need storage for some of the smaller flats and have been let out to residents living in the road for many years. Planning applications for property development were submitted in the past but rejected due to concerns about the trees, as the area is part of the Willet Conservation Estate.
(Image: Newsquest) Now, with the auction looming, the uncertainty about what could happen to the land has many residents on edge. Resident Martin Astrup said: “We of course do not want to lose our enjoyment and use of the garages but it is also the privacy element that is a worry. "That is why we are trying to do something about this.
" (Image: Newsquest) If the group find enough people to contribute, they could acquire the land themselves and stop the prospect of a new development. The plot is listed via Lexton's for a guide price of £650,000 and is described as a 'fantastic development opportunity'. Resident Tara Hammerstad said: "It is not as though we are all very wealthy and have the ability to move if they do develop there.
"Most of us have been living here for years, have brought our kids up here, which for many of us has been a tight squeeze and now we’re heading towards retirement. "None of us thought that would be a time we have to consider moving. “If new houses went up right behind us, it would affect our privacy, and we’d have people looking right into our gardens.
" Tara is also passionate about safeguarding biodiversity within the area so much so that she is considering taking on a few of the garages herself if it comes to it. The area is home to many trees which have been undisturbed for years. Neighbours Martin and Tara have lived at their properties for more than 25 years.
(Image: Newsquest) The residents are anxious about the possibility of new construction altering the peaceful nature of their neighbourhood and their overall privacy. But with the uncertainty of the sale hanging over the residents, there is a palpable sense of unease within the community. The auction, which will be held by Lextons, is scheduled for the end of the month so residents say 'time is of the essence.
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