Drug-plagued Oswestry flats to be demolished under plans
Plans to build affordable homes in a Shropshire town, which will include the regeneration of a drug-plagued block of flats, have been outlined to councillors.
The plans in Oswestry are being spearheaded by Shropshire Towns and Rural Housing, the body which, on Monday, took over the running of council housing in the county.
Officers from the housing group told town councillors they had managed to secure government funding for a series of housing schemes in Oswestry.
Councillors heard this week that one of the sites was the Swan Lane flats development, which has been earmarked for demolition.
Shropshire Council decided to demolish the flats because it was becoming increasingly difficult to let them to tenants because of the the prevalence of drugs and related anti-social behaviour.
Three homes in the complex were targeted in April 2011 when police launched a major drugs crackdown nicknamed Operation Bubble.
Residents have been moved out over the past two years
Angela Douglas, from Shropshire Towns and Rural Housing, said three blocks of flats in Swan Lane would be demolished and 19 homes would be built in their place.
The new homes will be a mix of two and three bedroomed houses rather than flats.
She said eight would be affordable rented homes and 11 would be low cost home ownership houses.
Councillors also heard that schemes had been agreed to use land currently used for garages in Sefton Place and Gatacre Avenue in Oswestry for eight new affordable homes.
Councillor Paul Milner said he hoped enough parking would be made available at Sefton Place for the homeowners.
He said: "As long as the residents are happy."
He was told additional parking was planned.
Councillor Peter Cherrington thanked the housing group for their presentation on their affordable housing plans and said the council would look forward to seeing the planning applications.
