Proposals to redevelop council sites to help first time buyers

Harborough District Council is exploring the possibility of redeveloping its former council-house garage sites in St Cuthbert’s Road, Great Glen, and Paget Road, Lubenham.

The council is looking at the idea of turning the sites into new homes which will be available at low market value as part of the Government’s ‘Help To Buy’ scheme to assist people finding it difficult to get on to the property ladder.

The proposals have come about as the council looks to get the best use of its assets for the benefit of taxpayers.

Although the council no longer has housing stock, it does retain a number of former council-house garages in the district. On 19 October 2015, the council’s Executive agreed a business case to look into proposals to develop these.

Planning permission will be sought regarding each site.

Cllr Phil King, who has responsibility for strategic asset management at Harborough District Council, said: “As funding from national government diminishes, the council needs to maximise the use of its assets for the benefit of the taxpayer and look at other ways to fund services. The council’s garage sites, left over from the transfer of the council’s housing stock, offer an opportunity to explore the potential for redevelopment, providing capital which can be re-invested for wider community benefits.”