Decision details

To seek approval in principle to proceed with the redevelopment of Assheton Court in Portchester in order to provide a new larger sheltered housing scheme using the existing site and a small area of the adjacent long stay car park.

To also advise Members of (a) the principles of a decant policy (relevant for those residents affected by any future redevelopment works); (b) the approach to any flats becoming vacant as Assheton Court; and (c) how a future report will be brought back to the Executive relating to the funding of the redevelopment and the future contractor appointment process.

Assheton Court was built in 1971 and comprises 33 flats, 13 of which are bedsit accommodation.  The Council’s recently adopted Affordable Housing Strategy set out an ambition to provide additional affordable housing for those in need and to improve existing Council owned stock, with Assheton Court being identified as one of the early schemes to address.

The attached report outlines the benefits of redeveloping the Assheton Court sheltered housing scheme in Portchester, to include a small area of the adjacent public car park, with the intention to provide a new larger sheltered housing scheme in what is an excellent location for older person accommodation.

It also explains how officers have considered the impact that redevelopment will have to existing residents at Assheton Court and have developed an outline of the decant principles to help alleviate many of the concerns that residents may have.

RESOLVED that the Executive agrees:

(a)  the principle of seeking a redevelopment of the Assheton Court sheltered housing scheme;

(b)  the inclusion of a small area of the adjacent Long Stay East car park within any redeveloped design on the basis that no net loss in overall public car parking spaces will occur in the Council car parks at Portchester village centre;

(c)  that officers shall progress a Developed Design and planning application for a new Sheltered Housing Scheme; and

(d)  that £100,000 be allocated from the HRA Capital Development Fund, to progress the feasibility and design stage of the Assheton Court proposal.