THE housebuilders behind the King Alfred are the latest to try their luck attempting to build homes on the city’s contested urban fringe.

Crest Nicholson has unveiled plans to build a new development of up to 120 homes on suburban green space in Mile Oak.

Councillors welcomed the news cautiously saying the development could help meet the city’s desperate need for more housing but there were concerns about how local infrastructure would cope.

The developers could submit a planning application for the scheme on privately owned land backing on to Graham Avenue, Overdown Rise and Gorse Close later in the year.

Previous bids to build on similar suburban sites in Falmer Avenue and Ovingdean Road have been met with strong opposition from residents and rejected planning permission by councillors.

It is expected the scheme will include 40 per cent affordable housing in accordance with Brighton and Hove City Council policy.

The firm has indicated the rest of the green space will be retained and enhanced as part of the existing Site of Nature Conservation Importance.

Allotment holders have been reassured that their patches at the site will be left untouched as will the small wood at the east of the site which is home to owls.

North Portslade councillor Peter Atkinson said he wanted residents to be made aware of the proposals as soon as possible.

A leaflet is being delivered to at least 2000 residents in the area alerting them to the proposals and seeking initial views through a questionnaire.

Cllr Atkinson said he and Hove MP Peter Kyle would ensure that residents were fully and properly consulted over the plans as they developed.

He said: “Myself and Peter Kyle are absolutely committed to ensuring that the concerns of local residents are heard.

“I recognise that the city is in desperate need of more housing but we must make sure local residents’ views are taken into account as well.

“There are understandable concerns about our local infrastructure.

“These concerns include drainage and floodwater, car parking, the medical centre and the capacity of the local road network to cope with extra cars.”

A Crest Nicholson spokeswoman said: “We are still in the early planning stages of this development with a considerable amount of work still to be done including meeting with the city council to discuss their thoughts on the scheme as well as consultation with residents, local councillors and stakeholders.

“The initial plans are for around 120 dwellings including a mixture of private and affordable homes, we will be releasing further information as and when we are able.”