The redevelopment of North Quay is stepping in the right direction thanks a funding boost from Homes England.
Homes England has agreed a £2.5million grant funding deal with Dorset Council. The funding has been awarded through the Government’s £450 million Local Authority Accelerated Construction (LAAC) programme.
The LAAC funding will help to develop the site of the former council building at North Quay. Works including site remediation and preparatory infrastructure will bring this site forward for much needed housing in an area of moderate unaffordability.
100 per cent affordable
Dorset Council and Magna Housing are working together to develop the site, which will include 111 new homes, 100 percent of which will be affordable.
The LAAC programme prioritises the use of modern methods of construction. Dorset Council have opted for a panellised construction method which will increase the pace of development.
Stephen Kinsella, Executive Director for Land at Homes England, said: “This funding will support Dorset Council to accelerate housing delivery by enabling them to prepare this site for development and bring forward the construction of new homes incorporating modern methods of construction.”
Exciting time for Weymouth
Cllr Gary Suttle, Dorset Council’s Economic Growth and Skills Portfolio Holder, said:
“We’re pleased that the development of North Quay is being supported by Homes England. Plans for the site are currently being developed with Magna Housing who have confirmed their continuing commitment to the project as well as future consultation.
“This development is a key part of wider regeneration taking place in Weymouth. It’s an exciting time for the area.”
Richard Drax, MP for South Dorset, said:
“Affordable homes are much needed in the area and this additional boost of £2.5 million is most welcome. A lot of work is going into regenerating the town, and this is another scheme that will replace the old with the new. There’s plenty more to do, but this is a step in the right direction.”
Demolition
An application for the demolition of the current building has now been submitted. If approved, the aim is to begin demolition works in the winter to complete these works by Spring 2020.
Desktop archaeological studies are currently taking place. These will inform future ‘in the ground’ archaeological investigations work once the building has been demolished.
To ensure safety while demolition takes place, it is likely that the council office car park will be closed during this period.
Please, please ensure the Design fits with the beautiful surrounding properties and blends In.
To make houses available to those that need them, there should be legislation to stop greedy people buying them to rent out. It should be certain rules that if you buy an affordable home then the purchaser lives in it for a set number of years. Hopefully this would prevent buy to rent and make more houses available to people who genuinely need them. I hope this development doesn’t slide down that slippery slope, and end up with persons buying the affordable homes to rent out at an extortionate rent.
Hi Geoff, There are already regulations that mean affordable homes cannot be bought as a buy-to-let. You can’t restrict someone to stay in a home for any length of time, for example if their job changes, they might need to move away. Thanks, WB
Why do these homes just have to be for youngsters. We are just in our 60’s and live in a 3 bed house on Portland. We both work but would love to live in a smaller house or flat around the harbour but can’t afford the huge prices there.
Hi Jo, They’re not just for ‘youngsters’. You can be of any age to buy an affordable home providing you meet certain criteria. Thanks, WB
Probably the best place in Weymouth
for housing But why not Luxury
properties which in turn will bring much
needed money into the area. ok we need
affordable housing but not in the most desirable spot in Weymouth.
Just look at Weymouth’s town centre
Empty shops run down properties.
Weymouth Council = Joke
I cannot believe that such an important prime site on Weymouth Harbour is being developed in this way by the Council and Magna Housing.
Of course we need affordable homes in Weymouth. But surely another site could have been found elsewhere.
This site could have achieved much more in funds from other interested parties and really added something to Weymouth Harbourside but instead we get a Magna development – and we are all aware of what that means.
I wholeheartedly agree with the above statement from Susan. When I read the email from Dorset Council my heart sank to discover that the North Quay site will be developed as affordable homes. The town needs good quality homes on this valuable site and/or some good quality alternative; we need to raise standards for the town’s future, not lower them.
If there is concern that good quality flats would be bought to sub-let then it should be written into sale particulars that this is not allowed, thus ensuring that homes would be built to be lived in.
Thanks for your comments, we understand your concerns. Just because they’re affordable, doesn’t mean they will be any lower in quality. The development will be high quality and will have to be designed as such to achieve planning permission. There will be future consultation before designs are put forward, please do get involved when it gets to this stage as we value all feedback. Thanks, WB
I really hope the design of the new construction will be similar or aesthetically pleasing to blend in with our beautiful harbour and marina.
Wonderful. Why not allow Housing Association tenants to live in a prime location!
Indeed. It’s an area where yachts are moored and the accommodation should sensibly be related to that audience. Affordable homes is a narrative these days that misses the mark!