MORE affordable homes are set to be built in Poole over the next two years as the borough council works to counter the drop-off in development during the economic downturn.

From 2009 to 2013 just 292 affordable homes were completed in Poole – compared with 688 in the 2005 to 2009 period prior to the recession. In the 2012 to 2013 economic year 41 were built. The year before it was just one.

Affordable units are a requirement when larger housing developments go ahead, so the downturn in development has hit numbers hard, said Councillor Peter Adams, a member of the council housing stock and financing working party.

“The power station site and Sydenhams site have not been built on, and that is what we were relying on to a certain extent for affordable housing, and it’s not coming,” he said. “So now the council is looking at every possible route. We can’t afford to have a slow up in building as we have had the past few years in Poole. We have to make sure we have a proper supply.”

The council has now identified four sites in its ownership to construct between 80 and 100 affordable units over the next two years, working with local housing associations. Some properties will be available to buy, some will be shared ownership and others will be affordable rents.

The most advanced project is the former Hamworthy First School on Blandford Road, where Spectrum housing will build 30 new homes – 20 of which will be affordable units. Work could begin as soon as the end of this month. A second site at Lagland Street has also been earmarked for development, in association with Raglan housing association. The plans – still at draft phase – include ground floor offices for the Citizens Advice Bureau and the Poole Council for Voluntary Service, which are currently housed in the building, as well as flats above.

Preliminary plans are also in the offing for sites in Terrace Row, off West Quay Road, and Anjou Close in Bearwood.

Building council properties again

IN addition, Borough of Poole is also building new council houses itself – using funds available as a result of the self-financing for council housing introduced by the government last April.

“We used to have to give 30 per cent of all the council housing rent to government and we got nothing back – that money was used in more deprived areas of the country. Now we are able to use it for the benefit of the people of Poole,” added Cllr Adams.

“We have plans to build our first eight houses in Oakdale and Merley and, subject to planning permission, this will take place in the very near future.”