Mid Suffolk District Council has sold the remained of its former offices in Needham Market to Hatch Homes. The liquidated capital will be reinvested into council housing.
The council has previously converted the town’s former middle school into a mix of affordable housing and the retention of the Victorian former school building as a new library. The first phase of the former office site’s transformation saw the creation of 32 homes, including affordable housing provision, and a new retail unit presently occupied by the Co-op.
The second phase was due to deliver a further 48 homes for open market and convert the grade II listed Hurstlea House into apartments. However, the council’s development partner stepped back from the scheme which led to the remainder of the site being placed on the open market.
Hatch Homes will now deliver the development in line with existing planning consent.
Cllr Richard Winch, cabinet member for housing and property at Mid Suffolk District Council, said: “[Hatch Homes] have a proven track record of creating high quality and distinctive homes that are sensitive to their environment, and we look forward to seeing the delivery of the promised homes alongside the sympathetic conversion of Hurstlea House.
“As an added bonus, receipts from the sale of the land can also now be reinvested into projects which help us to improve the standards of our council housing across our district.”
Jack Pointer, managing director at Hatch Homes, said: “Bringing forward this scheme for redevelopment allows us to transform a long-vacant and declining brownfield site into a positive residential scheme that will reinvigorate this part of the town.
“We are looking forward to working collaboratively with the council and the local community to deliver a development that not only provides much-needed homes, but also enhances the character, vitality and long-term sustainability of the area.”
Savills advised Mid Suffolk District Council on the sale of the site and finalised the deal with Hatch Homes.
Thomas Higgins, associate in the development team at Savills in Chelmsford, said: “The development represents an exciting opportunity to deliver sustainable growth in the shape of high-quality residential use in a popular town centre location, and will significantly contribute to the supply of much-needed new homes in the local area.
“We had strong interest in the site from a number of parties, but from the outset Hatch Homes demonstrated a capacity to meet the requirements of the council, and we’re delighted the agreement has now been finalised. It’s been a great project to be involved in and we look forward to seeing how the plans come to fruition.”
Completion is estimated for 2029 with work beginning on site next month.
Image: Mid Suffolk District Council
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