THE council is considering overturning a 56-year-old covenant on a piece of land in Kings Furlong to support plans to turn it into a half-way house for the homeless.

As previously reported by the Gazette, homelessness charity Two Saints is preparing to apply for permission to build a 23-bed facility on 180 Culver Road, demolishing the currently-empty building.

The plans have been met with considerable concern from local residents, worried about the mess and behaviour associated with similar sites being in their neighbourhood.

However, the plans are supported by both Hampshire County Council and Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council.

In a motion set to be discussed by Basingstoke council’s cabinet on Tuesday (March 9), Cllr Tristan Robinson, cabinet member for homes and families is set to ask his colleagues to “endorse” the council’s partnership with two saints and plans for the site.

The recommendation to cabinet also asks them to approve a “revision” of a covenant on the site, which states that the area be used for the purposes of the Children’s Act 1948 and for no other purpose.

The covenant was included as a condition of sale of the land to Hampshire County Council in 1965.

Council documents state: “Whilst historically the enforceability of the covenant has been the subject of discussion between the respective councils, moving forward it was considered by both parties, that it would be appropriate to work in partnership, in order that a suitable proposal could be agreed for the future use of a property in public ownership, and given that it would be sensible that this long vacant property could be put back into a productive use.”

If agreed upon tomorrow night, the covenant will be given “NIL value”, reversing its requirements. The documents state that this is allowed under Section 123 of the Local Government Act 1972, “where any covenant revision which may be at less than best consideration, can proceed where social, economic and environmental benefits can be achieved”.

Cllr Robinson added: “Helping the most vulnerable people in our borough is a key priority for this administration, and the delivery of a new, purpose built supported living facility at 180 Culver Road will help us achieve our aims of abolishing rough sleeping in Basingstoke and Deane by 2024.

“Through active collaboration, the Council has worked closely with Hampshire County Council and Two Saints Housing to bring forward this exciting new project which will make a tangible difference to the lives of those who are homeless, or at risk of homelessness.”