Hurdsfield £1m hub plans get £25k boost from land sell-off
COUNCIL chiefs have agreed to sell the former Hurdsfield Community Centre to allow for new affordable housing.
It has been bought by social landlord, Cheshire Peaks and Plains Housing Trust, for £25,000 - less than half its market value.
The move was rubber stamped by coun Don Stockton, cabinet member for regeneration on Cheshire East Council, and justified “given that the proposed disposal supports the aim of delivering affordable housing...to promote the social and economic well-being of the local area”.
The £25,000 will go towards the £1m cost of building a new community hub in Hurdsfield, which involves redeveloping the current family centre on Nicholson Close.
The sale finalises a deal that has been in the making since September last year when the council started looking to dispose of what has become an eyesore.
In its report Coun Stockton said: “The building is in a poor state of repair and is likely to attract anti-social behaviour in the future and continued maintenance and security costs.”
Plans have been approved to demolish the former Hurdsfield Community Centre to create six two homes - four with two bedrooms and two with three bedrooms - for social housing on a plot of land off Carisbrook Avenue and Alton Drive, Hurdsfield. The scheme also includes car parking for nine vehicles.
The site was occupied by a single storey brick and timber building, used as a community centre until 2007. The building became run down and an eyesore.
In a council report it said the property was valued at £52,500 and of the four offers received too buy the site the Trust’s £25,000 was the lowest.
However, the council’s Strategic Housing Service supported the ‘much needed’ affordable housing and accepted the cut price offer.
The council also said the sale - part of the council’s policy of selling off unwanted assets - would boost funds for other services and save it £2,500 in business rates.
Under new plans the family centre on Nicholson Close will become a community hub bringing together several services and activities.
Hurdsfield was identified as one of five locations which needed attention during a council review.