The former HMP Northeye prison site in Bexhill has been transferred from the Home Office to Homes England, who intend to use the site for a new homes development
The Northeye prison site is included in Rother District Council’s adopted 2019 Local Plan and the emerging Local Plan, in which the site has been allocated for housing.
Homes England will now oversee the development of the site on behalf of the council and local community.
Homes England is now working on proposals
The proposals will be shared with Rother District Council, community groups, and residents to reflect priorities and needs in the area. Work will also begin on essential site maintenance and management.
The transfer of the Northeye prison site aligns with Homes England’s strategic plan 2025-2030, which lays out their mission to accelerate housing delivery and regenerate public land towards the government’s 1.5m homes target.
Amy Rees, chief executive of Homes England, said: “The transfer of the Northeye site represents not only a significant local milestone but also a clear example of Homes England’s national strategy in action, unlocking public land, working in partnership with places, and helping to deliver the homes and places communities need for the future.
“This transfer means we can now start work to bring the former Northeye site back into use. By working with the council and the local community, we want to help deliver new homes that meet local needs and support Bexhill’s future.”
Homes England are ramping up developments
Announced in December last year, the Homes England strategy 2025-2030 has six objectives designed to create new collaborations and accelerate delivery of new and sustainable homes.
The six objectives in the strategy are:
- Significantly increase new housing supply and accelerate housing delivery across all tenures.
- Deliver the biggest increase in social and affordable homes in a generation.
- Unlock new institutional investment for housing and mixed-use schemes and deliver financial returns.
- Collaborate with partners and local leaders to enable development and regeneration that boosts local economic growth.
- Foster innovation and create market conditions to support a dynamic, diverse, and sustainable built environment and housing sector.
- Ensure homes are safe, secure and decent, and residents are safeguarded.
Following the new strategy, the agency has kicked off 2026 with a bang, as in January alone they announced a financing package worth £165m in collaboration with HSBC and NatWest to fund houses built by SME housebuilders, an expansion of 5,500 new homes to be built in the new town Wychavon Town, and another accelerator loan to SME builder Yorkshire Homes.
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