STREET SCENE: An artist’s impression of how the proposed development at Marchesi House would look on Radipole Lane.
Much-needed new affordable homes are set to be built in Weymouth.
Charitable housing association BCHA is intending to develop a mix of 31 houses and flats off Radipole Lane at Southill.
A planning application for the £4.5 million scheme was being submitted to Weymouth and Portland Borough Council this week.
The site is currently occupied by the 25-unit Marchesi House which was originally designed in 1975 as a sheltered housing complex for older people.
Current residents of the building will be offered a home loss and disturbance payment and suitable alternative housing.
The new development will consist of 13 one-bedroom flats in two blocks, 12 two-bedroom houses, six three-bedroom houses and 38 parking spaces.
It has been designed by award-winning Dorset-based architects David James Architects & Partners Ltd.
BCHA has been consulting during the past year with residents, neighbours, stakeholders and the local authority and staged an exhibition of the plans.
If planning consent is granted, work on the site is expected to start in mid to late summer 2019.
Stacey Northover, BCHA Assistant Director of Housing, said: “Our £4.5 million investment will help address the area’s housing needs through this much-needed, quality development of affordable, rented and shared ownership homes.
“We listened carefully to views expressed during the extensive consultation process on issues such as parking, design and landscaping to ensure this development fits in well with the existing surroundings.
“We understand the sensitivity surrounding any new development and this mixed scheme of single, family affordable rented housing, as well as shared ownership options will ensure a positive impact into the community.”
“Our current residents are being kept informed throughout this process with regular updates and explanatory one-to-one meetings about the process. Their future housing preferences are of utmost importance.”
The development scheme for Marchesi House was originally announced in 2016 but stalled until this year.
Latest figures from the National Housing Federation reveal that 775 new homes need to be built in Weymouth & Portland and West Dorset every year just to keep up with demand.
Recognising the county’s housing requirements, Opening Doors is a new umbrella organisation formed to encourage the development of more homes in North Dorset, West Dorset and Weymouth & Portland.
- BCHA
St Swithuns House
21 Christchurch Road
Bournemouth
BH1 3NS
01202 410 500
Website: www.bcha.org.uk
facebook: @bcha.org.uk
Twitter: @BCHAnews
YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/TheBcha
BCHA is a charity which has been helping homeless and vulnerable people for 50 years.
It has helped more than 10,000 people each year off the streets, out of abuse, over skills barriers, and on to independence
It offers people who need support in finding ‘a way forward’.
Bournemouth Churches Housing Association was founded in 1968 by a number of local churches, to try to make a practical contribution to local housing problems.
Since then, BCHA has grown from strength to strength.
It is a major provider of a diverse range of housing, support and learning services for socially excluded people. Although based in Bournemouth, it currently delivers services across the south.
Bournemouth Churches Housing Association Limited is a charitable registered society under the Co-operative and Community Benefit Societies Act 2014, registered with the Financial Conduct Authority No. 18497R and with the Homes and Communities Agency No. LH0155.
- News release issued by Cliff Moore of Deep South Media – 01202 534487 (office), 07469 158458 (mobile) or email cliff.moore@deepsouthmedia.co.uk
