Plans for 48 new affordable homes in the centre of Horsham have been given the green light by Horsham District Council.
The site for the proposed homes, at Page Court in Livingston Road just off New Street in the town, is currently owned by housing association Saxon Weald.
Saxon Weald wants to demolish the existing building and replace it with 40 flats in addition to eight terraced houses fronting onto Park Terrace East.
The existing accommodation, which was built in the 1970s is now showing signs of age, and comprises a residential block of 42 bed-sit units with shared bathroom facilities, and three self-contained bungalows. All units have most recently been occupied by older residents, but are now largely unoccupied.
Members of the Council’s Planning Committee (North) approved the application on 3 December 2019.
A further site in Rudgwick was approved by Planning Committee (North) on 7 December for a further 6 houses.
Commenting on the proposed scheme, Horsham District Council Cabinet Member for Community Matters and Wellbeing Cllr Tricia Youtan said:
“I am delighted that we are now in a position to upgrade this accommodation to provide much needed affordable homes for local people in housing need.
The development will enable 48 families and individuals to be appropriately housed in a central and convenient town centre location.
“This is a great example of the successful collaborative work the Council achieves with the Horsham based housing association Saxon Weald, enabling us to deliver a high number of affordable homes across the District year on year.”
Horsham District Council Cabinet Member for Community Matters and Wellbeing Cllr Tricia Youtan
The proposed Page Court redevelopment is just one of four affordable homes sites which will deliver in total some 84 rented homes for the Horsham District. The mix of homes will see a range from one bedroom flats to three bedroomed houses to satisfy varying housing needs.
The other sites already approved for development are located in Bennetts Road and Bleinheim Road in Horsham.
These affordable rented units will greatly help reduce the number of local households on the Horsham Housing Register with an identified housing need.