Anger as Parkway affordable homes still empty after two years

In 2008, West Berkshire Council shelled out £900,000 of taxpayer’s money to ensure that 37 of the 147 homes were affordable units following developer Standard Life Investment’s (SLI) claims that it couldn’t afford to build any.
The 37 units were completed in early 2013, but they are still sitting empty almost two years later, owing to SLI’s failure to appoint a housing provider to manage them.
As reported by the Newbury Weekly News last year, the council took the unprecedented step of blocking the sale of any new private homes at the development after becoming tired of not yet having a housing provider.
Last week, the council leader, Gordon Lundie (Cons, Lambourn), met SLI demanding to know the reason for the extended delay.
Speaking to the NWN this week, Mr Lundie said: “We did not make the progress I would like to have made in the meeting and I am now considering what my options are.
“Standard Life has been invited to come to an overview and scrutiny meeting next month.
“I would be very disappointed if they didn’t take that opportunity to explain their actions to the people of Newbury.
“They need to tell people why this project has been delayed for an entire year now. It is simply not acceptable.”
The council’s shadow portfolio holder for housing, Alan Macro (Lib Dem, Theale), said: “It is an absolute disgrace.
“To have all these people on the housing waiting list while these flats sit empty all this time really is appalling.
“The council should have taken action a lot sooner than they did.”
Last year Newbury MP Richard Benyon criticised SLI, saying the delay was “unacceptable on every level”.
Speaking to the NWN in September, a spokesman for SLI said: “The affordable housing units at Parkway are available to occupy and we are working hard with our preferred affordable housing provider to complete the rigorous due diligence processes required.
“The council is fully aware of the complexity of this detailed work which, unfortunately, is taking considerably longer than anyone might have anticipated.
“We appreciate the frustration this situation is causing, but we’re optimistic that it will be concluded soon so we can formally exchange contracts with our preferred affordable housing provider.”
SLI confirmed this week that its position remained unchanged.