Council snaps up land and houses for local families

More than 30 much-needed homes for local families will be provided across Torbay after bay councillors signed off on two fresh projects.

Members of Torbay Council’s cabinet were unanimous in backing the purchase of a piece of land in Brixham for up to 14 new homes and the buying of 14 already-built homes in Torquay and four in Paignton which developers can’t sell.
Cllr Alan Tyerman (Con, Churston with Galmpton) conceded that the numbers were a small step when there were 1,600 households on the waiting list for homes.
But, he told the committee: “All we can do is take one step forward at a time.
“The size of the housing crisis is such that it is almost impossible to see how we can ever get the number down to zero, but every step in the right direction is valuable.”
The location of the Brixham ‘brownfield’ site for building has not yet been disclosed, but the council has a housing reserve budget of £1.2million from which it will be bought.
If the land was sold on the open market it would be unlikely to produce any affordable homes for local families.
“By securing it we can make sure it is developed in a way that meets our housing needs,” said Cllr Tyerman.
Cllr Nick Bye (Con, Wellswood) said the move represented good value for money and provided opportunities for local people.
The council will also borrow money to buy the 18 ‘turnkey’ homes in Torquay and Paignton, having heard that both as-yet undisclosed sites had been marketed for sale without success. Both are in ‘well-located’ brownfield redevelopments, and could be occupied by the end of the year.