Derelict house to become 28 affordable flats

A HOUSE which has stood derelict for more than 15 years will be converted into 28 “much needed” affordable flats.

Cheltenham Borough Council wants to build the flats on 320 Swindon Road as they will “reduce the housing waiting list”, according to a council document.

The authority’s cabinet unanimously backed the proposal to buy the site for £5million in a meeting on Tuesday night.

The proposal forms part of the authority’s plan to build 500 affordable homes in the next five years with Cheltenham Borough Homes.

Homes England are supportive of the proposed scheme and a formal bid submission will be made in due course, the council report said.

The authority’s full council approved the budget in February for the new supply of affordable homes, including the purchase of 320 Swindon Road.

Councillor Peter Jeffries(ld, Springbank) said in the meeting: “This is 28 affordable homes on effectively a vacant site.

“Colleagues who know the site will know it’s been vacant for quite some time, you might say it’s a bit of a regeneration of that area which is most welcome from the residents.

“We’ve got to drive forward with these affordable housing sites where there are opportunities.”

The purchase of the property and the land could be approximately £5million, the council document said, with support from Homes England grant funding expected to be in the region of £1m.

The council report said: “By increasing the provision, we will be supporting our key strategic objective of strengthening our communities.

“The proposed scheme supports the aspirations of the Place Strategy for Cheltenham, approved in March 2018, to focus on housing delivery as a priority with the aspiration to increase the number of affordable, accessible, safe and secure housing, and to build strong, healthy and inclusive communities.”