Sneak peek at new affordable homes in Wells

Posted on by Listify Me


The Old School at Wells is being converted into homes. Pictured at the site are (from left) Duncan Marshall-Andrew, Cllr Tom Fitzpatrick, Cllr Marie Strong, Norman Lamb MP and Lynn Watson. Picture: Ian Burt

Kate Scotter
Monday, January 12, 2015

10:19 AM

The long wait is nearly over for those in urgent housing need at a popular coastal resort as a project to redevelop an old school into new homes nears completion.

About 70 people visited the Old School in Wells on Saturday to have a sneak peek at the first four completed homes at the Grade II listed Victorian building.

Work to turn the 19th century former school into 10 individual homes started last March. The project, led by Homes for Wells, aims to provide affordable accommodation for people from the area.

All the properties at the Polka Road site have been allocated and the first tenants range from a primary school dinner lady to a crab dresser.

The one, two and three-bedroom homes are due to be completed in early February.

Lynn Watson, chairman of Homes for Wells, said it was an “emotional” morning as she showed guests, including care minister and North Norfolk MP Norman Lamb, around the site on Saturday.

She said: “Knowing we have provided homes for people who otherwise wouldn’t have stood a chance at finding an affordable home in Wells is very rewarding for all of us and makes it all worthwhile.”

The £500,000 project is the biggest scheme voluntary-run Homes for Wells has been involved in since the charity was established in 2006 to help tackle a chronic shortage of affordable houses in the town.

Mr Lamb said: “I was immensely impressed by what I saw. The homes are of a very high standard and 
are in a really lovely location close to the town centre 
in a beautiful old listed building.

“I have admiration for the volunteers who run Homes for Wells, an amazing community venture that’s meeting a critical local need.”

Tom FitzPatrick, leader of North Norfolk District Council which provided £150,000 towards the project as part of its Big Society Enabling Fund, said: “It’s a really excellent development and everyone involved should be proud of themselves.

Are you helping to overcome the housing deficit in your town? Email kate.scotter@archant.co.uk

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1 comment

  • Get them whilst they’re there. LAST affordable homes in Wells before it turns into little Blakeney and the weekend exiles price you out.

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    NigelS

    Monday, January 12, 2015

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