A major £5million social housing project is set to transform the site of a former pub in the Sopwell area of St Albans.
St Albans City and District Council is developing an area at Abbotts Avenue West, including the site of the former King Offa pub.
The plan is to create 14 new social-rent properties for people on the council’s housing register who are living in overcrowded accommodation or are waiting for a permanent home.
Members gave approval to proceed with a contractor at a Housing and Inclusion Committee on July 28 and a decision on the planning application is expected in September.
Councillor Jacqui Taylor, the committee’s chair, said the budget for the development has been approved and the council will applying to Homes England for additional funding.
She said: “I am thrilled that this important project has reached this advanced stage and is proceeding at pace.
“One of our priorities as a Council is to create more much-needed three-bedroom social-rent housing in the district. I also wanted to see an end to the poor-quality temporary housing on this site.
“Our development of the King Offa and Norman Close site into 14 high-quality homes is further proof of our commitment to achieving that goal.”
If planning permission is granted work on the development is expected to start in November and will be completed a year later.
The development will not just provide social housing but will also be in keeping with the council’s commitment to tackling the climate emergency.
This will be achieved by fitting the properties with eco-friendly features including air source heat pumps and electric vehicle charging points.
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