New Homes from the Ashes of Dilapidated Garages

11.19.00pm GMT Sat 24th Sep 2005

Milton Keynes Council is pulling out the all stops to provide affordable homes for MK residents - by flattening local eyesores.

The cabinet has agreed to demolish two blocks of unused garages - one in Newport Pagnell and one in Bletchley - to make way for affordable housing. These garages are a dilapidated state, and have long been a source of anti-social behaviour.

The Council is now looking for a housing association to buy these pieces of land. In Whitethorns, Newport Pagnell, the plan is to provide three or four two-bedroom bungalows for social rent, as well as three two-bedroom shared ownership houses for first-time buyers. In Bletchley, the plan is to create two four-bedroom houses for people with learning difficulties who have a high level of care needs. Car parking spaces will be provided to replace those garages currently used by local residents.

Liberal Democrat Councillor Irene Henderson, cabinet member responsible for Housing, said: "These garages have been in a dreadful state for a number of years. They are not only an eyesore, but they have become the breeding ground for all manner of anti-social behaviour, causing nuisance and hassle to the long-suffering neighbours.

"So now we're doing something about it. We are replacing the worst of the old with the best of the new. Demolishing these garages also saves the Council the money that has been spent on cleaning them up and repairing the vandalism.

"We are also looking at other garages across the city to see whether they would also be suitable for projects like this."