Council may look to take on homes at hospital
HEALTH chiefs would be “happy to entertain” the idea of Leicester City Council taking on dilapidated homes near the General Hospital.
Leicester’s Hospitals served eviction notices on the health workers living in the properties next to the Evington hospital this year. The last of the residents are set to leave Hospital Close at the end of this month.
The idea of the council taking on the 175 units, including 33 semi-detached houses, was floated by chairman of Leicester City Council’s health scrutiny commission, Councillor Patrick Kitterick, at a recent meeting.
He asked hospitals trust chief executive John Adler and director of the estates and facilities Darryn Kerr: “Was there an approach made to Leicester City Council in relation to taking over those properties for general housing?”
Mr Kerr said he was not aware of an approach in recent times and said: “As part of phase one of the programme we will be looking at opportunities for developing housing which fits with the local plan. But historically I’m not aware of an approach.”
Surveys on the properties, made up of houses and flats, indicated it would cost £5 million to bring the homes back to “acceptable and safety compliant” standards.
Mr Kerr said: “The main driver for us in terms of vacating Hospital Close was the dreadful conditions – and I’m ashamed to say we allowed it to deteriorate to that level.
“It wasn’t about getting it to market, it was about providing suitable accommodation for people and the cost to get that accommodation to a level we would want our staff and others living in, just wasn’t achievable with the constraints we’ve got on capital.”
Coun Kitterick said: “When you say there is £5 million of capital investment, that might sound a lot, but within the city council’s budget £5 million isn’t that scary and the concept of units for about £30,000 each sounds reasonably attractive.”
As of September 25, there were nine occupied homes on the site. Hospital bosses said they have worked closely with all residents to help them relocate.
Coun Kitterick asked if the bottom line was highest capital receipt”
Mr Adler responded: “Strictly speaking, we’ve always had an obligation to maximise our receipts.
“There is now a one public estate approach to things and that has encouraged us to get into more dialogue like this.
“Whether that gives us more scope to actually not be obliged to get the highest price, I don’t actually know.
“It’s something we could pick up and have a discussion about.
We would certainly be happy to entertain that.”