A councillor has hit out at plans to demolish a block of flats for single people, just as the Government rolls out its controversial ‘bedroom tax.’
From April, an ‘under occupancy’ rule will come into force, meaning that people living in social housing who have one or more spare bedrooms could lose up to 25 per cent of the rent from their housing benefit.
The idea is to free up more family properties, but many housing associations do not have enough smaller houses for couples and single occupants.
Kingsfold councillor Keith Martin questioned Places For People, which owns the Maltings, off Hill Road South, Penwortham, which is to be razed to the ground.
He said: “There are few enough places already for single people, so why are they getting rid of The Maltings at this time?
“It did run into disrepair, but it had been turned around.
“It just seems to me that Places For People just don’t want it and don’t want to listen to anything else.”
A spokesman for Places for People revealed that plans are in place to provide more single person accommodation.
He said: “The Maltings is more than 30 years old and as a building is no longer suitable for people’s aspirations.
“We are planning to develop the site and are in discussions with South Ribble Council.
“The plans include a mix of housing, including single person accommodation.”
All residents living in The Maltings have been rehomed. A formal planning application has not yet been entered.
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