PROPOSALS to redevelop the old Lister House site in Staple Tye into new housing have been unveiled by Harlow Council.

The plans were published last week ahead of a pre-planning consultation meeting held on Thursday (10 May 2018) for local residents and retailers. Due to public interest on social media a further drop-in consultation event will take place on Wednesday 6 June 2018 at the Civic Centre from 4.30pm to 7.00pm.

A webpage has also been setup at www.harlow.gov.uk/perry-road-staple-tye where residents can view the proposals, including a 3D film of the proposed development, as well as give their feedback about the scheme.

The Council-owned Perry Road development will see up to 46 apartments built with a minimum of 30 percent affordable homes. The Council is committed to ensure that as many affordable homes as possible are provided for local people on Harlow’s Housing Needs Register as the plans develop.

The development is possible as the existing Lister House is moving to a new site situated on Abercrombie Way. This is set to be completed in September 2018. Next to the new Health Centre a new multi-use-games-area is shortly due to be completed ready for the local community to use. The fenced area will have line markings for football, basketball and tennis and will be floodlit.

All apartments will have the ability to be adapted to meet the changing needs of residents. The development will meet Secure By Design, and offer not only visual surveillance from the balconies but also CCTV monitoring the site and the surrounding area. The development has been designed to integrate with the existing shopping mews, but also have the diversity to incorporate any change long term. This building will hopefully be the catalyst for improvement throughout the whole of Staple Tye and the adjoining areas.

There is no current date for a planning application to be submitted as the priority for the Council is to listen to views and adapt the plans. So far views and feedback have been about:

The modern and attractive look and design of the building and what it will do to improve the Staple Tye area
The need for Council homes not for sale and more affordable or social housing as part of the development
The need for 1 and 2 bedroom homes for families
Disabled accommodation with wet rooms

Parking arrangements and current parking issues in the area
More privacy to balconies rather than clear glass
The location of the building
Current antisocial behaviour issues on the cycle path
Concern over loss of business units