Cannock council homes building work hit by delays

The first council house building programme in Cannock for a quarter of a century has been hit by a delay of 15 months, it can be revealed today.

Cannock Chase Council needs to rehouse residents from 170 flats before work can start on 70 new homes. But at the moment just 47 flats are vacant.

This has pushed the start date back from early next year to spring 2014.

Under the £6 million plans, the new homes will replace outdated flats on the Moss Road estate in Chadsmoor.

Cabinet member for housing, Councillor Frank Allen, admitted today the provisional deadline for rehousing the residents had been optimistic.

He said: "With hindsight, realistically we are looking at early 2014 to start work, with the flats all acquired towards the autumn next year. These things are always subject to people being moved out and the movement up to now has been encouraging.

"They are not being forced out – the residents have been consulted and to date there hasn't been a single glitch. They have all been very good about it."

Council leader George Adamson added: "It is unfortunate there has been a slight delay but it's still very exciting. These are the first council homes we are building here since 1987."

A report due to be presented to the council's cabinet tomorrow states: "In order to progress the flat redevelopment scheme, cabinet in September 2011 agreed both rehousing and compensation policies for the households currently living in the 170 Reema flats.

"Rehousing is currently progressing and at present 47 flats are vacant. It is anticipated that at the current re-housing rate vacant possession of all the council flats will be achieved in spring 2014."

By Mark Mudie