South-east towns to get the pathfinder treatment

The South-east could get its own version of the housing pathfinders that tackle low demand in the North and Midlands, under proposals uncovered by Housing Today.

The chief executive of the South-east’s regional development agency is discussing how run-down areas of towns such as Margate, Hastings and Folkestone could be revitalised.

Under the proposals, from the South East of England Development Agency and architect HTA, housing associations could buy up and renovate run-down properties in seaside towns and sell some on the open market to cover the cost of using the remainder as social housing.

The scheme could also be applied to former ministry of defence estates now owned by private landlords, where properties could be replaced.

The ideas will be discussed with interested parties at HTA Place Making Forum on 30 November.

Pam Alexander, chief executive of SEEDA, said her ideas were at a very early stage. The aim was to parallel the housing market renewal pathfinders in the North and Midlands, which are intended to boost demand for housing by regenerating areas. However, the southern version of the scheme should not require such large grants because the property prices would rise after refurbishment as regeneration areas are located close to higher value localities.

Alexander said: “In the South-east we have pockets of deep deprivation in the middle of pockets of high land values and we need to capture the land values to create sustainable communities.”

We have pockets of deprivation in the middle of pockets of high land values to create sustainable communities

Pam Alexander, SEEDA

She added: “We are looking at new ways to pull together our powers with local authority powers, Housing Corporation funding and housing association expertise.”

The plan would help to lift towns such as Hastings, Margate, Ramsgate, Dover and Folkestone and improve the properties, which are largely bed and breakfasts and houses in multiple occupation lived in by homeless people. A list of potential former MoD sites has not been settled on.

A source close to the project said: “It will try to bring some of the lessons of the pathfinders in the North to bear on the south. We are looking at a range of vehicles such as joint ventures to enable developers, RSLs and representatives of local people to make this sort of thing happen.”

No target has been set for the number of regenerated homes.

Brendan Ryan, head of housing for Dover District Council, said: “That's in line with what we have been trying to do with our RSL partner. If SEEDA produces an alternative that would bring in more money we would very much welcome it.”