New plan to build dozens of social homes in Shoreham

Released: Wednesday, 13 November 2024

Dozens of social housing properties for older residents are planned to be built in Shoreham under a new partnership between Adur District Council and Worthing Homes.

The council plans to enter into an agreement with Worthing Homes under which the housing association would redevelop the council-owned Ashcroft House site to create 56 one and two-bedroom sheltered accommodation flats. All of these flats would be allocated to individuals on Adur's housing register.

It is proposed to grant Worthing Homes a 250-year lease for the land in Kingston Lane, which also contains eight empty council bungalows.

The residents of the 21 flats at Ashcroft House were rehoused in 2020 after an assessment that revealed the building needed urgent and extensive fire safety improvements. It was determined it would be more effective to replace the building with modern purpose-built sheltered accommodation, with gardens for the residents. Ashcroft House was then demolished this year, ready for the site to be redeveloped.

The council paused its plans for the site to prioritise improving the condition of its other homes, many of which needed urgent repair work to make them safe for their tenants. Its focus remains on improving its existing housing stock but also acknowledges the need for more genuinely affordable sheltered accommodation for older Adur residents.

The joint strategic committee of Adur & Worthing Councils yesterday agreed to a plan under which Worthing Homes would pay £500,000 for the lease on the site and Adur District Council would have the right to place its tenants in every one of the new flats.

Worthing Homes would manage and maintain the building and the new residents would be tenants of the housing association.

The agreement is subject to Worthing Homes securing planning permission to demolish the eight bungalows and build 56 flats on the site. Funding from Homes England will also be required.

Worthing Homes hopes to submit a planning application in the next few months. Work could begin on site in 2025, with the new tenants ready to move into their new homes in 2027.

Cllr Lee Cowen, Adur's cabinet member for housing and citizen services, said:

“Working with Worthing Homes will allow us to create affordable accommodation for some of our older Adur residents, while keeping costs manageable.

“I'm optimistic that this partnership will help more of our residents into high-quality homes that they can call their own.”

Donna Cezair, the CEO of Worthing Homes, said:

“We are delighted to be working in partnership with Adur District Council on such a prestigious and much-needed scheme.

“With so much pressure on public funding, it is crucial to work with trusted partners to find creative and sustainable ways to provide new forms of accommodation for local people.”

Photo: Ashcroft House, Shoreham (demolished in early 2024)

Ashcroft House, Shoreham-by-Sea (demolished in early 2024)

(PR24-079)

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Page last updated: 02 December 2024

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