Independent housebuilder Dandara has announced plans to deliver 18 affordable new homes in the East Sussex village of South Chailey, in partnership with Raven Housing Trust.
The two, three and four bedroom homes will be a mix of affordable rent and shared ownership properties, to meet growing demand for high quality, energy efficient housing in the area.
They will form part of The Cygnets, a new neighbourhood of 56 homes on the edge of the picturesque village, overlooking the South Downs National Park. Named after local landmark The Swan House, a listed former public house, the first homes there are expected to be ready for entry in August 2027.
The Cygnets will also generate wider local benefits through Section 106 contributions of £1.065m, including supporting investment in public spaces and landscaping and transport including improvements to local bus services, reinforcing the role affordable housing plays in sustaining local communities.
Russell Turner, Partnerships Director at Dandara, said:
“Delivering the right affordable housing to meet the needs of local people is vitally important, particularly in a small countryside village like South Chailey. We have worked closely with Raven Housing Trust to create a carefully considered mix of homes that not only meet local demand but are also sensitively designed to complement the character and architecture of the area.”
He added:
“One of the biggest housing challenges in the South East is the widening affordability gap between a typical first home and a larger family property, a gap that is now even greater than in London.
“According to Rightmove1, there is currently a 61% difference between the cost of a first home and a family-sized property, leaving many couples struggling to take the next step on the housing ladder and raise families in homes that no longer meet their needs. The three and four bedroom affordable homes in particular at The Cygnets have been designed to help address this issue, enabling local people to remain living within their community.”
Stephen Clements, Raven Housing Trust, Assistant Development Director, said:
“Raven Housing Trust is pleased to be in contract with Dandara to deliver 18 high-quality, energy-efficient new homes at South Chailey. The scheme marks an important step in Raven’s commitment to providing more affordable homes, supporting stronger communities and working in partnership to achieve quality, value and timely delivery.”
The Cygnets is located within walking distance of the South Downs National Park and Chailey’s iconic 18th-century windmill. The development also benefits from excellent transport connections, with Brighton approximately 30 minutes away by car and London just over an hour by train from nearby Cooksbridge station.