Family homes plan for troubled Northampton housing block is welcomed
PLANS to replace one of Northampton’s most troubled housing blocks with 17 new family homes have been unanimously backed by officials in the town.
Northampton Borough Council emptied the bed-sits in Robinson House, Lumbertubs, in September 2008 after new tenants refused to move in because of the building’s reputation for crime and anti-social behaviour problems.
The building has since been demolished and members of the council’s planning committee this month unanimously backed plans to build new houses on the site.
During a meeting of the planning committee at the Guildhall, the councillor for the area where the flats used to stand, Councillor Lee Mason (Lab, Brookside) welcomed the latest move.
She said: “People were very pleased when Robinson House was demolished and they really wanted to see new family homes built there.
“So I think this will be a huge improvement on what’s been there in the past.”
She was backed by planning committee member, Councillor Matthew Golby (Con, New Duston), who added: “I think we should welcome this move because it will provide much needed new family housing in Northampton.”
Tenants for the new houses will be drawn from the council’s waiting list.
The properties will include 10 two bedroom homes and seven three bedroom properties. Back in 2008, the council planned to empty Robinson House and convert the building into a shelter for homeless people.
The plan was so unpopular with people living nearby a campaign against it made it all the way to the High Court before the scheme was eventually scrapped.
The shelter for the homeless is now being built in The Mounts, Northampton.
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