A DILAPIDATED Grade II listed building in Popley is set to be converted into affordable housing.

At a meeting of the cabinet at Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council on Tuesday, 6 February, members approved the £1.6 million project which would transform Chineham House, in Chineham Park Court, into 10 flats for people on the housing needs register.

The three-storey building, with an annexe and two cottages, has fallen into disrepair since being vacated in 2011 when they were previously used as offices by Stonham Housing Association.

The proposed work is to convert the three buildings into seven one-bedroomed flats, one studio flat and two two-bedroomed flats, along with a ground floor room which will be provided for community use.

Speaking at the cabinet meeting, Popley East ward councillor, Cllr Janet Westbrook, said: “Having only been a ward councillor for a couple of years I haven’t been involved with the project from the start, but I welcome the proposal to bring more affordable housing to Popley.

“As we see with a lot of empty buildings there has been some anti-social behaviour and Cllr David Potter and myself have spoke to the PCSOs in the area, so I would suggest we use the community room to give the opportunity for them to hold surgeries as well as a vibrant community space.”

The project has been on-going since 2011 with the borough council working alongside prospective housing partners with the aim of bringing Chineham House back into use.

Cabinet approval was previously given in January 2014 for £102,000 towards structural repairs, but works could not be undertaken when it became apparent that more extensive repairs were needed.

Cabinet member for property and development Cllr John Izett said: “It is great to be announcing good news about Chineham House. Its dilapidated state has presented many challenges which, with our partners Plexus, have now been fully assessed.

“This enables us to go forward with the development of 10 much-needed affordable homes in the Popley area. I look forward to seeing the new homes and community room being completed as soon as possible.”

A 20-year lease will be granted to Plexus UK (First Project) Ltd, a not-for-profit subsidiary of the Mears Group, to bring the building back into use.

New refurbishment plans include rebuilding a basement wall, remedying damp, replacing boilers, upgrading the electric supply and roof repairs.