Plans passed for new homes on derelict Evershed site (From St Albans & Harpenden Review)

Plans passed for new homes on derelict Evershed site in London Road, St Albans

11:30am Tuesday 12th February 2013 in News By Rebecca Perring, Reporter

Plans to build 80 homes on a derelict site in St Albans have been passed despite councillors reservations of a lack of affordable housing.

At a St Albans District Council committee meeting last night (Monday) councillors passed plans by the supermarket, Tesco’s development company, Spenhill to build 80 homes on the Evershed site in London Road.

The former printing site that currently includes empty houses will become flats with retail units, restaurants and a car park.

Previously the London Road project had been refused on the grounds of limited social housing, visual impact and resident’s loss of privacy.

The development as a whole will provide nine affordable homes.

Councillor Geoff Churchard, representative for Marshalswick North, said: "The decision wasn’t easy but we supported it because we thought if we weren’t careful the site would remain derelict for a few more years while people argued over it.

"However I am not thoroughly satisfied in the amount of affordable housing that the project has to offer on an inner city site."

Batchwood representative, Councillor Malachy Pakenham also raised concerns about the lack of affordable housing where he called the project a "curate’s egg".

The labour councillor said: "I am disappointed there is a lack of affordable housing. In my opinion if they reduced the amount of four bedroom houses and replaced them with one and two bedroom houses that would solve the problem.

"However the project is high spec and of a good standard and quality which will highly improve the area.

"It has been a long drawn out saga and now it is time to build something on the site."