Disused flats finally set for makeover

01/09/2011

Work is due to start next month to redevelop a block of flats which have stood empty in the Weston area of Bath for several years.

The affordable housing block in the centre of Weston village, known as Church Street Flats, has stood empty for over five years and has become the focus of complaints about antisocial behaviour by neighbouring residents. The main concern of residents has been about groups of young people gathering and drinking beneath an overpass in the disused block, resulting in calls for the overpass to be knocked down. As part of the redevelopment the overpass will be now be removed.

Plans to redevelop the flats, which are owned by social landlord Guinness Hermitage, have stalled several times over the past few years. However, funding for the project has now been secured from the Government's Homes and Communities Agency, meaning the redevelopment can finally go ahead. Work is expected to start on creating four new affordable apartments in September and will last up to nine months.

The area's Councillors Colin Barrett and Malcolm Lees have welcomed the announcements, having campaigned for many years to tackle antisocial behaviour at the site and to see the flats redeveloped.

Councillor Barrett (Cons, Weston) said:

"This is great news that the whole community will welcome. Redeveloping the flats will help address antisocial behaviour issues, improve the appearance of the area, and provide new affordable housing. After so many years of campaigning and false-starts, it will be brilliant to finally see this development happen. Once the development is complete it will also reopen the route to the High Street through the flats, making it easier for many residents to get to the local shops."

Fellow Councillor Malcolm Lees (Cons, Weston) added:

"This disused site has been a cause of concern to local residents for a long time, with complaints about groups of teenagers gathering and drinking here late at night. The redevelopment should hopefully put an end to this, but we will be continuing to work closely on the issue of antisocial behaviour with local police. We also hope that the work can be carried out with the minimum possible disruption to neighbouring residents."