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0056 2024/25
28/10/2024
Supporting Neighbourhoods
Newton-le-Willows East, Newton-le-Willows West
Local Lettings Policy - new apartments at former Newton Hospital, Bradlegh Rd, Newton-le-Willows
To approve a Local Lettings Policy for new apartments for affordable rent on Bradlegh Road, Newton-le-Willows
To seek approval for a Local Lettings Policy (LLP) which will support the creation of a sustainable community and give priority to existing local residents for first lettings of new homes at the former Newton Hospital site, Bradlegh Street, for an initial period of 12 months.
The former Newton Community Hospital site is a new housing development owned and managed by Torus Housing Association. It will provide 39 apartments (one and two bedrooms) which will be occupied by single people, couples and, in smaller numbers, households with one child. First lettings are expected late 2024. Homes will be let using the Under One Roof choice based lettings system as usual other than the terms of the LLP will apply to the lettings alongside the council's allocation policy. All homes will be let as affordable rent tenure. A LLP will support Torus in its intention to achieve a sustainable community with residents who have a mix of employment status and circumstances, typical of more longstanding neighbourhoods. The aim is to identify tenants who will settle and contribute to the local community both socially and economically which is harder to achieve if very high percentages of residents are not economically active. The statutory basis which allows an LLP is Section 166A(6)(B) of the Housing Act 1996. This enables housing authorities to allocate particular accommodation to people of a particular description, whether or not they fall within reasonable preference categories, provided that overall the authority is able to demonstrate compliance with the requirements of section 166A(3). This is allows local lettings policies to be used to achieve a wide variety of housing management and policy objectives. The LLP for the former Newton hospital uses two lettings criteria which seek to 1) reflect the mix of economic activity found in most established neighbourhoods. 2) bring continuity by allowing families and individuals with existing links to the locality to access suitable housing in their community. The details of the criteria are as follows: Letting criteria 1) - a minimum of 43% (10) of the 1 bedroom properties and - a minimum of 40% (6) of the 2 bedroom properties will be allocated to applicants who are in full time employment (16 hours or more per week) or full time education/training and can evidence affordability in line with the council’s allocation policy. Letting criteria 2) Preference will be given to applicants with a local connection to the wards of Newton-le-Willows East and Newton-le-Willows West. In the event that either there are - insufficient bids from applicants with a local connection who meet the minimum quota for applicants in employment, education or training or - insufficient bids from applicants who meet the stated local connection criteria applicants from the wider borough of St Helens will be considered. Additionally, in support of the council’s wider strategic aims with rehousing young care leavers up to the age of 25, one of the one bedroom units will be allocated via a nomination to a care leaver prioritised by the Children we Look after team at St Helens Borough Council providing they have the expected levels of support from the local authority, such as appropriate wrap around support until the age of 21 years in place and a trustee until the age of 18 years. The policy will be in operation for 12 months from the commencement of the first tenancy at the development and then subject to review, amendment, or withdrawal. Consultation has taken place with the Ward Councillors in Newton Le Willows West in respect of the Local Lettings Policy.
Approval of the proposed local lettings policy will allow local people to benefit from the new housing in thein neighbourhoods and ensure a mixed community from first allocation. The policy supports a number of the council's objectives.
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Please contact Lucy Reynolds on 01744 676235
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