More affordable housing to be discussed

January 16, 2019 by Leigh-on-sea.com

The council’s cabinet are to discuss the potential construction of 56 more affordable homes in the borough.

The proposal follows the council’s successful completion of 18 homes in Shoeburyness (phase 1) and the ongoing construction of 16 council houses in Rochford Road and Audleys Close (phase 2).

Last week the keys to a specially adapted two-bedroom bungalow in Audleys Close were handed over by builders Marfleet & Blyth to the Council. A further 15 houses including three bedroom houses and two bedroom flats, are currently being built in Rochford Road and are due to be finished in May 2019.

If approved, the council would bring forward two further projects, phases 3 and 4 of the HRA Land Review Project. Phase 3 would see £4.9m invested to build 25 homes across five underutilised garage sites in Shoeburyness, whilst phase 4 would see £6.19m invested to build a further 31 houses within the Lundy Close estate using underused land on its edge. Both phases would be subject to planning permission 

Two further two garage sites in Shoeburyness have been proposed to be developed using modern methods of construction (MMC). Councillors will also discuss developing a ‘land purchase fund’ that would use section 106 planning contributions from developers for buying land for future housing projects.

Cllr Tony Cox, cabinet member for housing, says: “This council is committed to delivering more affordable homes across the borough, and I am delighted that phase 2 is progressing so well.

“However, we understand the importance of constantly striving to deliver more, and so I am also very pleased to see plans for the next two phases coming forward too.

“If approved, phases 3 and 4 would see another £11m invested into the borough’s affordable housing programme, demonstrating our commitment to this priority area of work.”

The council’s cabinet will discuss the item on Thursday (item 13).

Tracy Smythe, senior employers agent, Pellings, said: “We are delighted to have worked alongside Southend Council to deliver this wheelchair accessible bungalow in Audleys Close as part of phase 2. It is great to see Southend Council producing affordable housing, of this quality, across the borough”.

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