Increasing social housing in Guildford borough
Liberal Democrats are continuing to deliver on our commitment to provide more social housing in Guildford borough. Proposals to be considered on at the council's budget-setting meeting (9th February 2022) include a major increase in the number of affordable homes, including homes for affordable rent, being provided by both the council and housing associations.
Lib Dem Deputy Leader of the Council and Lead Councillor for Community and Housing, Cllr Julia McShane, said:
"Providing suitable housing is a top priority for us and we've proposed a significant investment of £24.5 million to improve our existing properties. As well as this we are planning an initial investment of £142 million to go towards developing and buying new housing, with more schemes being planned.
"Our Capital and Investment Strategy recommends that we move forward with a number of the affordable housing schemes on our provisional programme. This will help boost the social housing in our borough.
"They are:
- Foxburrows Ave, Park Barn - 40 homes
- Roundhill Way, Park Barn - The redevelopment of 2 blocks of flats
- Rear of Manor House Flats, Tongham -11 homes
- Clover Road - 8 homes
- Rapleys Field, Pirbright - The replacement of prefabricated housing that has reached the end of its life
- Garden Land, Dunmore - 2 new affordable homes
- Banders Rise, Guildford - Redevelopment of bedsits and a new house.
- Land adjacent to 27 Broomfield - a 3 bedroomed home.
- Garden Land, Wharf Lane, Send - 3 new homes.
- Garden Land, 108 Georgelands, Ripley - a 3 bed home.
"We're also moving forward with developments at Guildford Park Car Park and Weyside Urban Village, which will provide substanial affordable housing. This is in addition to the work we are doing with Housing Associations."
"Furthermore we are buying affordable housing 'off plan' from developers for tenants to rent, with 8 currently being built, and we've have also bought back 11 properties formerly sold under right to buy and are working on number of other opportunities to buy property within the borough that are suitable for tenants.
"Providing homes for people in our borough is really important and these plans will help us develop as many new council-owned properties as possible and help to provide housing that people can afford."