Wealden District Council to start building own council houses in Crowborough

Wealden District Council is to start building its own council houses again in Crowborough

It is part of a bid to provide a greater mix of housing opportunities for people unable to afford to buy in one of the most expensive rural districts in the South East.

"Changes in national policy mean we will now be able to use the rental income from our own housing stock to help fund new housing projects in the District," said Councillor Graham Wells, Cabinet member for Affordable Housing.

"We have a golden opportunity to take more responsibility for providing new  social housing on land which has become redundant for current accommodation needs. With over 2000 people on our housing register, we know there is a need for bold action."

At  the 27 July meeting of Full Council, Wealden District Council  approved plans to use council-owned sites at Rochester House, Crowborough; Evelyn Clark House, Forest Row; and Towermill Place, Willingdon, to provide 64 new properties.

The three schemes will cost a total of £9 million. Wealden's New Build Housing Project received a further boost with the news that  the Homes and Communities Agency has agreed the allocation of a £1.4 million grant (subject to final contract). The remaining cost of the Project will be met from capital receipts and revenue surpluses from the Council's own housing account and additional borrowing of  £2.7million.

"The Government's new housing policy means that the rents for new council-built homes are charged at affordable levels which are higher than the current social rent for the 3,100 properties the Council owns, but less than current market rents," explained Councillor Wells. "We can use these new properties to cater for range of different needs and encourage sustainable mixed communities."

The existing properties in Forest Row, Crowborough and Willingdon are redundant as housing demand moves away from older bedsit accommodation. The new developments will offer a range of one and two bedroom flats, and two and three bedroom houses.

Towermill Place had earlier been designated for a mixture of affordable housing and a new health centre for Polegate and Willingdon but, after considerable efforts to develop a financially viable model,  the scheme has been withdrawn as a new building of this size is unfortunately not affordable in the current economic climate.  The practices and primary care trust are exploring alternative options within the available resources.

The final details of the Government's restructuring of local authorities' housing  debts have yet to be announced.  This may affect the final number of homes the Council can build.  Homes from Wealden's New Build Housing Project are expected to be ready for letting in 2014. 

Over past 20  years, most new social housing has been built by housing association (Registered Social Landlords) rather than local authorities.

Since 2001, 236 council homes owned by Wealden District Council  have  been sold under the Right to Buy legislation.