‘It’s Obscene’ - £80m Revamp Set To Include Just Four Affordable Homes

New homes, a hotel and offices are to be created in Norwich after an £80m revamp of the area around a former shoe factory was given the go-ahead. But opponents to the proposals said it was “obscene” that only four affordable homes are planned. There was criticism that a viability assessment written for the developers had argued a provision of 50 affordable homes - which would have hit a 33pc target for affordable housing - would prevent the scheme being cost-effective. Instead they had argued only four affordable homes, or a commuted sum of £353,234, would be acceptable to allow work to begin at the site. Read more on the Norwich Evening News website.

Stricter Rules Target Council House Waiting List

Norwich and South Norfolk councils have introduced stricter rules for social housing allocations in a bid to focus support on those most in need.  They have tightened the waiting list rules after research into their choice based lettings scheme, by KPMG, revealed that about 70% of applicants in south Norfolk had little or no need for social homes, while just over half of the 4,000 applicants on the register, including one applicant who registered in 1968, had never bid for a home.  Norwich City Council - which has nearly 7,000 households on its register - said it had people living in Glasgow on its waiting list.  New rules now mean people on the register need a local connection and must apply on the phone or in person.  Meanwhile, South Norfolk Council - which has just over 4,000 households on its register - has replaced its online application form with an interview by council staff after 80% of applicants were found to be incorrectly filling out their application form.  In addition, households who find a home are prohibited from joining the register for a year.  Read more on the Norwich Evening News website.