The news in last weeks Argus newspaper from a development being built in Davigdor Road by Crest Nicholson of 47 dwellings, that they can no longer provide affordable accommodation on the site is clearly a major set back. However being a property developer Crest Nicholson are used to encountering set backs and persevering until they have found a solution. By the same token the need to come up with an effective mixed tenure solution for this block, as the article points out, could have potential knock on impact on other projects in Brighton and Hove. There is good reason for the Council not to simply move on from this news without showing some perseverance themselves. This issue is potentially being played out in other parts of the South East with a range of players, but the same challenge. It is vital that the City Council bring together the developers that are currently working in the city as well as those whose interest is in future opportunities. They also need to bring together the various Registered Social Landlords (RSL’s) who could have an involvement in such developments. It appears from the article that Crest have exhausted their short list of RSLs but we do have some innovative RSLs working here in the city including BHT and two YMCAs. Not far away Eastbourne Homes are also capable of thinking outside of the box. The phrase ghettoisation was mentioned in the news report. There is already plenty of that in our city, we cannot afford any more. We need to use this project as the catalyst, not only for solving the problem of this development, but for identifying a way forward for other such projects. It is vital that such discussions take place in an environment that enable those concerned to think outside of the box with confidence, but also that the conclusions of any discussions are communicated in a manner that ensures that there is no sense of deals being done behind closed doors.