New affordable housing on former Astor Centre site

A new affordable housing development on the site of the former Astor Community Centre is nearing completion.

The centre was closed several years ago and the land was released as part of Plymouth City Council's Get Plymouth Building programme. AJM Building Design Ltd has transformed the former community centre into a striking block of 12 one and two bed homes, one of which is a disabled unit.

The development is one of a number of brownfield sites in the city being brought back into use for new housing. The homes have been delivered by local development company Aster Homes and will be managed by the Aster Tamar Partnership. Local contractors Oakley Builders has built the new homes on Aster's behalf.

Councillor Chris Penberthy, Cabinet Member for Cooperatives, Housing and Community Safety for Plymouth City Council said: “The site at the former Astor Centre forms part of our Get Plymouth Building programme which aims to help increase and accelerate the delivery of new and greener homes in the city.

“The mix of homes on the site provides the sort of accommodation that local people need. I am also really pleased that we have been able to provide another disabled unit as we try to meet the housing needs of those who find it hardest to get appropriate housing and give them a more independent life.

“The Council is working hard to ensure there is more affordable homes in the city and recently launched the Plan for Social Rent to work with local developers to increase the proportion of affordable rented houses in the city.”

There are currently 11,000 households waiting on the Devon Home Choice housing register for Plymouth. The Council’s Plan for Homes aims to deliver 1,000 new homes every year for the next five years by releasing Council owned land for development. Of the former council owned sites being built on, 72 per cent are brownfield sites. All the housing being built on land the Council has sold will provide homes for 21 per cent of households on priority waiting lists. Other sites currently being redeveloped include the former Mannamead Centre, the PLUSS Centre and Stonehouse Arena.

David Luke, Aster Homes regional development director, said: “These vital new homes will breathe new life into this site and the wider community and we’re delighted to see the finishing touches being put to them.

“Aster and Tamar Housing Society have been working together through a strategic alliance since 2013. Both organisations have extensive experience of delivering and managing this type of housing development and we’re very much looking forward to working with the new residents when they move in.”