Churches, a school, a library and shops were all provided; regular bus services were started; and the development of the nearby universities of Brighton and Sussex later in the 20th century prompted other changes, including the construction of a large area of student accommodation.

[7] "The serious … shortage was tackled with vigour" by Brighton Corporation, which developed several estates of council housing in the 1950s: as well as Coldean, extensive building work took place at Bevendean, Hollingbury, Hollingdean and Woodingdean.

One old building from Coldean Farm was retained: a flint-built barn of late 18th-century vintage,[2] which was "sensitively converted" into St Mary Magdalene's Anglican church and community centre in 1955 by local architect John Leopold Denman.

[13] A children's playground opened in April 1989; it was named after George Humphrey,[11] a long-serving local councillor who represented the Stanmer ward.

[14] A year later, work began on the Brighton and Hove Bypass, which diverted the A27 trunk road away from the urban area.

[1] The facilities were expanded in 2012, by which point the 500-room development was the university's largest halls of residence,[16] and 2016–17, providing more accommodation and a new social and community building called "Student Hub".

"The link-up ... gave more travel opportunities for Coldean people, including an improved 10-minute frequency" to the centre of Brighton.

[23] For students living at the Varley Halls complex on Coldean Lane, the University of Brighton operates its own buses (route UB1) on weekdays.

Eleven services operate per day towards the university's Falmer campus (northbound) and Old Steine in central Brighton (southbound).