PLANS to build 18 affordable houses in Hyde are closer to materialising after Winchester civic chiefs agreed to demolish the existing site before finding a firm to build the homes.
Housing bosses hope that bulldozing Victoria House will save time as they invite a second round of bids.
Five interested developers fell out of the running to build the homes in July. The city council’s cabinet housing committee said that the one offer received may not represent value for money.
The demolition and an archaeological investigation will go ahead before a new contractor is found.
Andrew Palmer, head of new homes delivery, said national developers found the site too “risky.
“There’s still appetite from local builders for work,” he said.
Planning permission to build nine shared ownership flats and 18 affordable rented flats was granted in June.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here