Shoreham Sheltered Housing Block To Be Replaced

Councillors have agreed that £540,000 can be spent working up plans to demolish and replace a sheltered housing block in Shoreham.

Tenants were moved out of Ashcroft, in Kingston Lane, last year, after serious issues were identified during an initial fire risk assessment.

Now Adur District Council plans to knock down the 23 flats on the site and refurbish the eight ‘small and delapidated’ bungalows.

Once planning permission is received, a new block of 43 wheelchair-friendly one and two-bedroom flats will be built, complete with common areas, lifts and car parking.

The bungalows will be brought up to scratch and made more energy efficient, with new kitchens and bathrooms provided where needed.

During a meeting of the joint strategic committee on Tuesday (July 13), members were told that an estimated £540,000 was needed to take the projects through the preparation and design stages as well as seeking planning approval by summer 2022.

The building work itself should cost around £11million, with money expected to come from the Housing Revenue Account along with grants.

The meeting was told that all residents who were moved out of the old flats by the council would be offered the chance to move into the new homes.

Those still living in the bungalows will be entitled to ‘disturbance costs’ when they temporarily move out – and those who leave their homes and move into one of the new ones will be entitled to ‘home loss’ payments.

The report was given full support by the committee, with only one issue of concern raised – would the Blue Plaque commemorating legendary 1930s and ’40s comedian and film star Max Miller be saved?

Mr Miller, who was billed as the Cheeky Chappie, lived at Ashcroft between 1946 and 1950.

Officers assured councillors that the historical significance of the site would be ‘noted and would be taken into consideration’.