Plans for affordable housing progressing

I REFER to the letter in the Stockport Express concerning Fulstone Mews and would be grateful for the opportunity to set out the reasons for the building being empty and the future plans for this site.

Mr Collinge is right to say that we should not have empty properties when there is a serious shortage of homes that people can afford and I am very pleased to say that there are plans being discussed now that will lead to the building being demolished and new affordable homes being built on the site.

A planning application from Equity Housing Association is expected soon.

Fulstone Mews was a dated sheltered housing scheme that required significant capital investment in order to provide the quality and standard of accommodation that residents expect.

The work couldn’t be done with residents still living in the building so, in conjunction with the council, Equity brought forward plans to offer maximum choice of alternative accommodation to existing residents.

In addition, Equity and partner associations provided significant help and support (including relevant financial assistance) to make the necessary moves as smooth and stress free as possible.

As plans for a new, upgraded scheme were being discussed, the Government made changes to the welfare benefit system about which there was a lack of clarity for some considerable time.

However, when the changes became clear it meant the scheme, as proposed, was financially unviable. It was at this point that a new proposal for affordable housing was brought forward and is now progressing. Cllr Sheila Bailey Cabinet Member Communities and Housing the EU, not them. They are supposed to speak up for the people, not keep nitpicking with one another!

Get together and get the best for us. Name and address supplied