URGENT talks are being held to get a housing scheme hit by the recession back on track.
Malpas Parish Council and residents are unhappy with newly designed affordable homes in Tilston Road as part of a £10m scheme at the former St Joseph’s Catholic retreat.
But about 30 residents who attended the parish meeting heard construction of the 12 homes for rent must begin before the March funding deadline expires.
Parish council chairman Russ McGinn, an architect, is meeting tomorrow with Chris Clayton of developers Ashbury Doyle in an attempt to reach a compromise to get the project back on track.
In a letter to planners, he said the new designs had ‘diluted the rich character of the original proposals to a point far beyond that acceptable to the parish council or residents’.
Changes to the street-fronting houses are necessary to meet energy efficiency standards for purchaser Arena Housing to qualify for a 50% government subsidy.
The developer believes aesthetically pleasing detail can be added by using different materials and colours but construction must begin within this financial year.
Also included in this first phase of the scheme, which has planning approval, are 10 apartments in the former manor house of the main St Joseph’s site and four cottages in place of the 1960s wing.
The second phase, which needs a fresh planning application, is likely to include 12 apartments and nine family homes in the grounds.
Developer Mr Clayton said the St Joseph’s scheme will restore the old buildings and features like the Victorian walled garden and orchard. There will be traffic calming in Tilston Road plus £100,000 for the improvement of Malpas Recreation Ground.
