Speen residents invited to view Kersey Crescent proposals

SPEEN residents will get the chance to have their say on revised proposals to replace five blocks of flats in Kersey Crescent at two consultation events next month.
Under the revised plans, Sovereign housing association wants to replace the existing 75 two-bedroom flats with 76 new homes, which will be a mixture of flats and houses.
The original proposals in 2011 (pictured) sought to build 79 homes but public feedback revealed that residents wanted fewer flats and more houses, less density and retention of more green space.
A spokesman for Sovereign, Roy Probert, said he could not reveal any more details such as the precise number of flats and houses, the development’s likely design and the cost of the project ahead of the of the public consultations.
Of the existing flats, he said: “We have rehoused almost half of the households so far and hope to rehome all residents by the end of 2013.
“The flats, as they are, are not fit for purpose. The issues with heating and the damp means they aren’t really suitable to live in.”
However, he stressed that the flats would be maintained in as reasonable a condition as possible while they were occupied.
The consultation events have been set up to enable residents to view revised plans and representatives from Sovereign, West Berkshire Council and David Wilson Homes will be on hand to answer questions and address any concerns.
After the events, Sovereign plans to submit a full planning application. If this is successful, work is likely to begin on the site in early 2014.
A resident at Kersey Crescent for the past 25 years, 74-year-old Doug Cook, said: “I think it is a positive thing for the area. It would be a waste of space if they didn’t use it and I’m sure there will be a real demand for housing if the plans are approved.”
As well as consulting the local community, Sovereign has discussed the proposals with members of West Berkshire Council, Speen Parish Council and a design group consisting of local residents and elected representatives.
Sovereign has been planning to redevelop the flats at 5-155 Kersey Crescent for several years.
By the early 2000s, the flats had become unpopular with residents as they were difficult to let and required significant investment.
In 2005, in coordination with West Berkshire Council, the empty homes were re-let on short-term tenancies to provide temporary accommodation for families at risk of homelessness.
That plan was scrapped towards the end of the decade when issues with heating and damp meant that temporary letting of the flats became unsustainable.
Sovereign’s Regional Development Director, Roger Keeling, added: “Having considered potential funding models, we have decided the right approach is to provide a mix of high-quality homes for rent, shared ownership and outright sale of varying sizes which will provide a wide range of housing options for local residents.”
Sovereign Housing will hold the consultation events at Robert Sandilands Primary School on Tuesday September 10, from 7pm-9pm, and on Saturday September 14 from 10am-12noon.