Local people should be given priority in community housing built as part of new developments, according to councillors in Wivenhoe.

Community housing is due to be provided within the Cook's Shipyard project as part of a legal agreement with developers. But Lexden Restorations has also applied to build community housing next to the Flag Inn at the top of the town.

Whether it was allowed to move the affordable housing quota of the shipyard development to another area of the town the Flag site was questioned.

Borough councillor Steve Ford (Lab, Wivenhoe Quay) said he thought the move was a loophole. The benefits of having affordable housing in the top end of Wivenhoe, nearer amenities, were pointed out.

Borough councillor Eugene Kraft (Conservative, Wivenhoe Cross) said he had asked at that meeting if Wivenhoe people could be given priority places for the homes.

Wivenhoe mayor Peter Hill supported attempts to get people with Wivenhoe connections back to the area.

Councillors agreed that Mr Hill and Tom Roberts would examine documents to see if changes had been made

Published Tuesday July 20, 2004

Brought to you by the Evening Gazette