Over-55s homes plan for Oversteads House Ushaw Moor

PLANS to build nearly 40 affordable homes for older people on two former sheltered housing units have been given the go-ahead.

The Vela Group, also known as Housing Hartlepool, wants to build 20 apartments and two bungalows on Brandon House, in Brandon, and 16 apartments on Oversteads House, in Ushaw Moor, both near Durham. All accommodation would be exclusively for the over-55s.

The two 1970s-built sheltered housing units closed in November 2010, despite an outcry from their remaining 26 residents.

Earlier this year, Durham County Council’s cabinet agreed to hand over the two plots, together worth around £285,000, free of charge – allowing the Vela project to access £1.3m from the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA).

The council’s central and east area planning committee granted planning permission for the project during a meeting at County Hall, Durham, on Wednesday.

On the Brandon House plans, Brandon Labour councillor Paul Taylor, who chaired Wednesday’s meeting, said: “I’m very much in favour of this – in fact I’m delighted to see it come about. It’s much needed.
“Unfortunately the former (latterly Liberal Democrat-run Durham) city council allowed Brandon House to fall into disrepair to the point where it couldn’t be brought up to a decent standard.
“Today we’ve got the sun coming out from behind the clouds. I look forward to it being developed and being kept for over-55s for years to come.”

Planning officer James Taylor said: “We think this is a good addition to the area. It’s high-quality housing.
“It’s great it’s HCA funding. It will be available (for over-55s) in perpetuity as a result of that.”

On Oversteads House, Deerness Valley Lib Dem councillor John Wilkinson said: “Oversteads House had built-in redundancy.
“I’m very, very pleased that Oversteads is being demolished and that a fantastic, sustainable development is going to take its place.
“It’s (HCA) money my ward, or any ward, can’t afford to lose.”

There were no objections to the Brandon House scheme and just one regarding Oversteads House. Both schemes were approved unanimously.

The old sheltered housing units will be demolished to make way for the new developments.

via Over-55s homes plan for Durham former sheltered housing units From Durham Times.

Council could hand over land for free for 40-home scheme in Ushaw Moor n Brandon

Nearly 40 new affordable homes for older people could be built in Durham if councillors agree to hand over land free of charge.

Members of Durham County Council’s Cabinet will be asked to approve proposals to transfer land at Ushaw Moor and Brandon to housing provider Vela Group when they meet on Wednesday, 29 February.

The plans follow the decision in November 2010 to close the sheltered housing schemes that currently occupy the sites.

The Oversteads House and Brandon House complexes were built in the 1970s and would require significant investment in order to be brought up to minimum standards, the council says.

Vela Group has been promised almost £1.3m by the Homes and Communities Agency to build 20 apartments and two bungalows on the site at Brandon and 16 apartments in Ushaw Moor on the condition the council hands over the land without charge.

Cllr Clive Robson, Durham County Council’s Cabinet member for housing, said: “Oversteads House and Brandon House struggled for a number of years with high management and maintenance costs and with demand for places low retaining the two schemes would have represented very poor value for money for the council.

“Transferring both schemes to a suitable housing provider will instead mean the sites can be redeveloped to create two modern, fit-for-purpose developments of affordable housing.

“In order for this to happen, we have to award the land at ‘nil’ cost but the need for affordable housing on the site far outweighs the price we could receive through the sale of the land.”

If the land transfer is agreed by Cabinet, Vela Group will be required to submit a detailed planning application by the end of March. The company will also need to outline how it plans to create employment and training opportunities through the developments.

via Council could hand over land for free for 40-home scheme » Housing » 24dash.com.

Vela Group wants to build 38 apartments on site of Oversteads House, in Ushaw Moor

NEARLY 40 affordable homes for older people could be built on two former sheltered housing units.

Vela Group wants to build 38 apartments and bungalows on the sites of Oversteads House, in Ushaw Moor, and Brandon House, in Brandon.

Durham County Council agreed to close the two 1970s-built facilities in November 2010, despite outcry from their remaining 26 elderly residents.

Vela, which has been promised nearly £1.3m from the Homes and Communities Agency, wants to build 20 apartments and two bungalows on the Brandon site and 16 apartments in Ushaw Moor.

But the deal depends on the council handing over the land free of charge.

The authority’s cabinet will be asked to approve the transfer when it meets next Wednesday.

Councillor Clive Robson, the council’s cabinet member for housing, said: “Oversteads House and Brandon House struggled for a number of years with high management and maintenance costs and with demand for places low retaining the two schemes would have represented very poor value for money for the council.

via Nearly 40 affordable homes planned for Durham sheltered housing sites (From The Advertiser Series).