On the outskirts of Brighton, nestled neatly between two parklands, the Coldean estate has long been hailed as a peaceful, leafy suburb. However, beneath its stoic and unassuming exterior, the rapidly changing demographics of this close-knit community, driven by recent housing developments and nearby university activity, have caused tensions to simmer.
Coldean was originally developed in the 1940s as a necessary solution to a post-war housing shortage. Designed as a low-density, residential neighbourhood, it was intended for families wanting a close connection with the surrounding natural environment. Today, Britain’s renewed requirement for affordable housing means that the diggers and cranes have returned to Coldean once more.
The 2024 finalisation of the Denman Place housing project added 242 new HMO (housing in multiple occupation) apartments to the suburb. Before that, additions were made to Brighton University’s student housing complex, Varley Park, increasing the area’s student capacity to 771.
So, how has all this change affected Coldean’s locals? Launa, a resident of Coldean her whole life, sees the rise in student activity in the neighbourhood as the most pressing issue facing her community. “It’s the students I hate”, she tells me, “I have two young kids, and they’re up till two, three in the morning smoking weed and causing trouble.”
“That’s them, coming out now,” Launa points across the road to her house, where her student neighbours are exiting the adjacent property. I caught up with the two guys to ask them what they thought of their neighbour’s palpable discontent. One of them, Dez, is a student at the University of Brighton and has lived in Coldean for two years.
He says, “It’s normally pretty quiet. I’m quite surprised that people are complaining about students here.” However, he understands some complaints and sympathises with the neighbours of a nearby “techno house,” a rumoured student-occupied property that allegedly “blasts techno music all day, every day.” This disruption could become grating for some, but not all residents share sentiments of disdain for the estate’s increasing student presence.
Dave, 75, has lived in Coldean with his wife for over 34 years and has had student neighbours in the past. He says that “the majority of them are pretty respectful, responsible adults.” Raj, the owner of Coldean’s Premier Convenience Store, benefits from a greater urbanisation of Coldean and says, “There is a conflict… but students are very good for our business.” He tells me that students are “genuinely the most uncomplaining, least demanding customers, and they spend a lot of money.” He adds, “I would probably lose twenty-five to thirty per cent of my turnover if it wasn’t for the students.”
Diplomatically, he states, “we have to find a balance between what’s good for Brighton and what’s good for the people of Coldean.” Indeed, whatever lies in store for this grassy community, future developments need to carefully consider the views of all those involved, long-time locals and students alike, if they are to preserve the, thus far, peaceful nature of little old Coldean.
Another article you may enjoy: https://thebadgeronline.com/2026/02/brighton-piers-a-brief-history/
