Based on available information, it is plausible that Lewes District Council could pay £2 million for 10 two-bedroom flats to be made available as social housing, but this would depend on the council’s capital programme, priorities, and negotiations.
Evidence from Council Budgets and Precedent
Recent Precedent: Lewes District Council recently agreed to fund a development of 100 new council homes with a final funding agreement of £2.2 million for the Victorian Pump House site in Bedfordwell Road. This suggests that the council is able to commit multi-million-pound sums to social housing projects. Capital Programme: The council’s revised 2024/25 capital programme totals £22.557 million, with substantial investment (£104.281 million over five years) planned for building and acquiring new properties This demonstrates that the council has significant capital allocated for housing projects. Grant Funding: The council has also secured grants of more than £9.8 million for affordable housing schemes, showing an ability to leverage external funding for such projects. Per-Unit Cost
£2 million for 10 flats equates to £200,000 per flat, which is within the range of typical acquisition or development costs for affordable/social housing in the South East, depending on build standards and location. Policy and Process
The council typically secures social housing through direct development, acquisition, or Section 106 agreements with developers, sometimes supported by grants or borrowing. Any such purchase would need to align with the council’s housing strategy, affordability criteria, and budget priorities, and would require Cabinet and possibly Full Council approval. Conclusion
While there is no guarantee, Lewes District Council has both the capital capacity and recent precedent to support a £2 million purchase for 10 social housing flats, provided the proposal meets its strategic objectives and passes the necessary approvals. The exact process and final decision would depend on negotiations, value for money assessments, and alignment with council priorities
