A HOUSING association is organising a resident engagement event ahead of its plan to submit an application to build seven affordable houses on a controversial site in Basingstoke.

Sovereign is planning to build houses at 180 Culver Road in Kings Furlong, where there was a previous controversial plan by Two Saints to build a 23-bedroom facility for homeless people. 

Two Saints’ proposal for the halfway house was rejected by the council after hundreds of neighbours raised concerns.

After Two Saints confirmed it would not appeal against the council decision, Cllr Jeans asked cabinet member Cllr Samuel Carr to investigate an alternative affordable homes regeneration proposal for the site.

READ MORE: Plans for seven new houses on controversial 180 Culver Road land

Based on this request, the borough and the county council officers reached an agreement with Sovereign on a plan to regenerate the site with a new affordable housing scheme.

Sovereign is expected to submit the planning application by the end of August.

The seven new homes include five two-bed homes and two three-bed properties.

Ahead of this, the builder said it is hosting a consultation meeting on Thursday, August 3, at the car park area of 180 Culver Road. The event will be held from 5pm to 7pm.

In a letter to residents, the builder said: “We know that the community was unsettled by a previous planning application to develop the site by Two Saints, so over the past few months we have been talking with Hampshire County Council and Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council. Together we have looked at options for the best use of the land, especially as the building has been empty for some time now.

“It was considered that much-needed affordable family housing would make a big difference and we’d like to share our ideas with you, so that we can take on board your feedback before we finalise our plans.”

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Reacting to the news, Brookvale and Kings Furlong councillor Arun Mummalaneni welcomed the consultation but said he has concerns about the timing of the event.

“Sovereign has given only one week's notice for the event. But I will knock doors on Culver Road in the upcoming days to inform people about it,” he said.

“Also it is holiday time and I’m not sure how many residents will be able to attend it. And furthermore, this is being planned at the car park where there is no place to sit or present the detailed plans.”