Nazareth House neighbours concerned over builders

Allum Developers and Contractors placed an insolvency notice in last week's Observer and now nearby residents worry that newly created homes will be sold off cheaply to a housing association.

Ken Hawes of Rowan Gardens commented: "We knew that 13 were earmarked for social housing but we are concerned with the downturn of the recession it will be more.

"Our feeling is that if they can't sell the rest on the private open market then it will all be sold as a block lot to a housing association."

Both he and neighbour Malcolm Hagedorn feel the immediate area is unsuitable for increased cheaper homes, with no facilities for extra families moving in, such as play areas, and just one road for access into St James Heights.

They and other neighbours have been involved in a long battle with Rother District Council planners following the original proposals for 28 houses and 28 flats and say they have struggled all the way.

The development has grown to 28 houses and two blocks with 51 additional flats as well as apartments in Nazareth House itself and coach houses behind, with houses built much closer to the boundary line than planners first agreed to.

Ken commented: "As the economic climate is progressively getting worse, I feel the main developers at the end of the day will do a deal so they can recoup some of their capital by selling off all 28 to a housing association. They will not wait for the economic climate to turn and try to sell them privately.

"I feel that if all 28 were bought by a housing association that will create a little social vacuum wedged between private developments on both sides. Surely the percentage of social housing suggested by central government for these sites is for a happy medium between private housing and social and surely this will break that?"

Malcolm Hagedorn believes his homelife has been affected by the development with loss of light and warmth. He moved into the bungalow in April 2006 and claims the building has far exceeded what was then agreed by Rother District Council, with three extra houses built on the other side of his fence which were not in the original plan. Like other residents he is planning to appeal for a reduction in his council tax but is not optimistic as to the outcome.

Ken added: "It's a shower...I have no faith in planners whatsoever, and no faith in democracy as far as planning is concerned."