Four new affordable homes, owned by Elmbridge Borough Council have been officially opened by the Mayor of Elmbridge, Councillor Simon Waugh on Friday 10 June 2022.
The former two-story office block at Barnet House in Weybridge, was reconfigured into four residential flats by R. Benson Property Maintenance Limited on behalf of Elmbridge Borough Council. The council will retain ownership of Barnet House, but will lease the property to EBC Homes Limited, which will be landlord to the tenants of flats.
The four homes comprise two one-bedroom and two two-bedroom flats and will be let to families in housing need, nominated by our housing team. The properties will be managed by local housing association, PA Housing.
Councillor Neil Houston, Portfolio Holder for Housing, is proud that Barnet House will provide some much-needed affordable housing in Elmbridge:
“Delivery of much-needed affordable housing is a key priority for the council. Whilst the bulk of new supply will continue to be provided by our housing associations, the council is committed to deliver new homes directly, particularly on council-owned sites. Barnet House is a great example of re-using brownfield land, involving the conversion of a vacant office building into much-needed affordable housing, in a town centre location.
“This is the second council-led development of affordable housing in recent years, following the delivery of five flats at Albemarle House in Thames Ditton in 2018. We also expect to take handover of eight modular homes at the Harry Fletcher House site in Esher later this year.
“Support housing associations to develop affordable housing within Elmbridge is a key aspect of our affordable housing strategy. In 2022/2023 we expect them to develop over 100 affordable homes in the borough.”
Terry Price, Chairman of EBC Homes Limited, added: “EBC Homes is delighted to see the project completed and to have entered into a lease with the council so that we can take responsibility for Barnet House. We look forward to welcoming our tenants to their new homes in the coming days and hope that they that will settle in quickly”.
Barnet House, Weybridge
Elmbridge Borough Council will retain ownership of Barnet House, but will lease the property to EBC Homes Limited, which will be landlord to the tenants of the four flats.
Barnet House is part of the Weybridge Estate, a mixed-use commercial and residential portfolio, which the council purchased in early 2019. Barnet House had been vacant since 2017 and prior approval for change of use from office to residential use was secured in December 2019
The council appointed R. Benson Property Maintenance Limited as contractors to manage the conversion of the building and the building works commenced in September 2020.
The cost of the project £489,000 and this was funded through the council’s Affordable Housing Enabling Fund, which is mainly comprised of financial contributions received from private developers towards delivery of affordable housing following the grant of planning permission.