The planning application for a “much needed” project to provide 36 affordable one-bedroom apartments in Brickhill has been submitted to Bedford Borough Council.
The project is being driven by Verve Developments Ltd, who own the site on which the apartments will be built, and affordable housing provider IMPAKT Housing & Support.
They say it will provide comfortable housing for those who are very much in need.
The plans show how the homes will be built over a small area of the car park on the eastern boundary of Bedford Heights and will follow the height of the existing building, and will fill a gap in housing requirements for those on low incomes.
Tim Pain, Director of Verve Developments Ltd, said: “We have owned Bedford Heights for nine years and in that time have always sought to make a positive impact not just within the business centre but amongst the wider Bedford community.
“We have sponsored charities, events and individuals, I am a member of the Bedford Town Deal board, and I also volunteer my time as a mentor as well as being a Trustee to a Bedford charity.
“I am keen to provide a legacy at Bedford Heights and for Verve Developments to help facilitate (on a not-for-profit basis) the creation of 36 new homes for those on low incomes who are struggling to get on the housing ladder.
“In the final plans we have been able to achieve 36 homes whilst following the height of the existing Bedford Heights. This project will directly improve beyond measure the lives of 36 people.”
In their statement to media, the planners said that reports from Bedford Borough Council have identified a material need for the type of housing offered by this project.
Local Housing Assessments also identify a requirement for a total of 4,167 affordable homes between 2015 and 2030 and 936 one-bedroom homes for those unable to afford market rents between 2020 and 2040.
The project plans to provide a material contribution to the annual need and supply a specialist form of housing that is otherwise in short supply and which caters for a specific need that is not generally met.
“These homes are much needed in Bedford to provide accommodation to our residents on low incomes with safe, comfortable, accessible housing,” added Paul Hunt, Chief Executive of IMPAKT Housing & Support.
“We are very grateful indeed to Verve Developments who have donated the land.”
Cllr Colleen Atkins (Harpur, Labour), did raise some questions about the project.
“I am concerned that, following the consultation event with the applicants last year, Manton Heights residents were under the impression the building would be three storeys in height and that it would be set back from the front boundary,” she said.
“The application is for a four-storey building and closer to the front boundary and I will follow this up.
“With 588 placements currently in temporary accommodation and a desperate shortage of affordable accommodation, there are positives to this application as well as concerns so, as ward councillor, I will be asking that the application is referred to the full Planning Committee for a decision rather than a delegated decision.”
