Abandoned Manor Court To Be Turned Into 14 Two-Bedroom Flats
2nd November 2017| By Peter Chapman
The abandoned Manor Court sheltered housing complex on the corner of Junction Road and Janes Lane has received planning permission to be demolished and rebuilt as a three-storey building, containing 14 two-bedroom flats.
However, the development has come under fire from councillors for only supplying 'Help to buy' flats and no 'affordable rent' dwellings. It was viewed that 'Help to buy' is not truly social housing and does not help the members of the community in most need.
Cllr Pru Moore wanted the scheme rejected due to a lack of mix in the size of the properties and a lack of a good section 106 agreement. However, the council were legally unable to do this as the development was one dwelling short of being able to impose such conditions. Affinity Sutton were critcised for 'deliberately' coming in under the threshold.
Manor Court's existing layout was as 15 one-bedroom flats for the elderly as a sheltered housing scheme.
In the planning report, a MSDC housing officer wrote: Currently the Homes and Communities Agency affordable housing funding programme does not make provision for grants for affordable rented units which makes it financially challenging for Housing Associations to deliver rented units. The proposals will meet a need for low cost home ownership affordable housing in Burgess Hill for which there is a high demand.
Parking
The scheme will provide just 1 parking space per flat. It is considered that in this location, this level of car parking is satisfactory and would not result in any on street car parking that would lead to a highway safety hazard - yeah right!
Video - Take A Look Inside Manor Court Since Its Abandonment...
Spread the word! Manor Court is to be demolished and rebuilt as 14 two-bedroom flats
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What do you think of the approced scheme? Would you like to have seen some truly affordable rent properties?
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