TOWN Hall chiefs at Warrington are being urged to sell a piece of land valued at £400,000 for just £1 – to enable 20 new homes to be built.
The scheme will also involve demolition of a sheltered housing unit providing 36 homes and built less than 40 years ago.
There was massive opposition to the scheme from villagers at Croft when the borough council carried out a consultation exercise, with 362 people attending one public meeting.
Even after the plans were amended, a second meeting was attended by 85 people and 55 submitted written comments – mainly
objections.
But a report to the borough council’s executive board says the scheme will secure £1 million funding from the Housing Corporation and provide 15 three-bed houses and five two-bed bungalows.
It points out that the existing sheltered unit, which has five flats and 31 bedsits, has become difficult to let, with 22 per cent of units empty and no waiting list. The building also required £640,000 spending on it for essential work, excluding day-to-day repairs.
If the scheme goes ahead, the site will be sold to Arena Housing Association for £1.
But Arena will have to provide £600,000 from its own resources and also borrow £1.1 million to be recouped from rental income.
Council spokesman Stewart Brown said the council would receive £399,999 less through the arrangement than it would through selling the land on the open market.
But there were significant benefits, including enhanced nominations rights for the council, affordable housing development in Croft and the possibility of future affordable housing funding from the Housing Corporation.
Cost of demolishing the existing unit will be met by Arena Housing.
Objectors claim problems with the existing accommodation have been exaggerated and fear the new properties will attract families with children to a village with no shops or other facilities.
