A WINCHESTER property will be sold by the city council, just weeks after they agreed to refurbish another for Ukrainian and Afghan refugees.
Civic chiefs agreed to sell 27 Eastgate Street, which will attract an expected price of £675,000, at the cabinet meeting on Wednesday, December 13. The house which dates from the 19th century was bought by the council as part of an improvement scheme several decades ago.
This comes after Winchester City Council agreed to spend £610,000 to regenerate another historic property in Colebrook Street. Number 59 has been empty for two years.
The property 27 Eastgate Street is the sixth in the road that the council has sold off. It was previously used as temporary accommodation for single homeless people.
A group of properties at the other end of Eastgate Street were sold by the council in 2007-08.
Council leader Martin Tod said: “As a council we need to make efficient use of our resources. We need to look at bang for buck.
READ MORE: Winchester City Council plan for Ukrainian and Afghan refugees housing
“We will get more benefits from selling the property and re-applying the capital elsewhere.”
Despite selling the property, the council will retain the small car park behind it.
Ian Tait, former portfolio holder for new homes delivery and currently a planning consultant, asked why the council decided to sell the property. He said: “There seems to be a significant inconsistency with this.
“I support the disposal, but I can't see the logic behind it and the retention of the car park.”
Cllr Caroline Horrill, leader of the Conservative group, said: “I completely understand the rationale for this. But why is this property less suitable for refurbishment than 59 Colebrook Street?”
Cllr Tod said: “Colebrook Street is an integral part of the council's land around the Guildhall. It would not be sensible to lose that building. We have decided to retain the car park as it could be included in designs for Central Winchester Regeneration, so it was not appropriate to sell that.
“Selling properties in Eastgate Street is not something new.”
The sale was unanimously agreed.
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