Ludlow's tax offices make way for 12 new homes
Ludlow's tax offices are now a thing of the past as they have finally been demolished after standing empty for four years.
Work has now started on building 12 houses at the site.
They are being built by Wrekin Housing Trust for people in need of affordable homes to rent.
The site will consist of eight two-bedroom houses and four one-bedroom apartments.
The houses, the first affordable housing the trust has built in the town, will be completed next year.
They will go some way to help ease Ludlow's severe shortage of affordable housing.
Ludlow's tax offices on Riddings Road were demolished last week, after being closed by HM Revenue and Customs in 2010.
They were shut as part of a "streaming" and cost-cutting programme that resulted in the closure of many rural and smaller tax offices nationwide, including Hereford.
At one time 28 staff worked there.
Sarah Flaherty, project manager for the trust's development team, said: "It's great to see work starting on this site.
"We're working in partnership with UK Construction to provide really high quality homes for the people of Ludlow and it's exciting to see the plans coming to fruition.
"The homes we build are modern, energy-efficient, spacious and built to last. We look forward to working in the area, providing affordable homes for local people."
She said the building of the houses will generate 28 jobs and is expected to contribute almost £4 million across the local economy, following a consultation with residents last year, and planning permission granted in May.
The town's current shortage of affordable housing is "severe", she said, with only a third of households in a position to buy a home at today's prices – but population figures for Ludlow show it is growing at a higher rate than across Shropshire.
She said the trust is working closely with Shropshire Council to identify local people needing new homes, and once ready, the properties will be let through Shropshire Council's Homepoint.
