A CONTROVERSIAL decision to sell off two council-owned houses in Wiltshire has been defended by the local authority.

The Liberal Democrat administration agreed to sell off the vacant properties at 6a Kingsbury Square in Wilton and Lansdown in Barford St Martin at the cabinet meeting last Tuesday (July 8) in a bid to raise money for its capital programme.

Also included in the disposals programme was the former children’s centre on the grounds of Longleaze Primary School at Royal Wootton Bassett and a small strip of roadside land at Kington St Michael.

While the council said the decision is needed as the properties would cost too much to bring up to standard, the move was blasted by conservative councillors.

Leader of the Conservatives at Wiltshire Council, councillor Richard Clewer, said he believes the council is making a “huge error”.

“I’m really sad. It’s a serious retrograde step to see these disposals,” he said.

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He added: “We don’t have enough council housing in villages as it stands.

“I know how expensive they are; I know what the cost pressures are, but I also know how important it is to keep rural communities together and I think it is a massive retrograde step that we are now seeing a change in policy that is seeing two council house sites coming forward for disposal.

Council leader, cllr Ian Thorn said Wiltshire Council is aiming to raise £1 million from the sale of assets and that he is aware of “tens of millions of pounds” that need to be spent on assets as part of the council’s estate.

“A really bad decision”

Wiltshire councillor for Wilton, Quidhampton & Netherhampton, cllr Pauline Church said it was a “really bad decision”.

“We just don’t have enough homes in Wiltshire for the people that need them,” she said.

“In my mind, we should be building more council houses – not selling them.”

The council’s director of assets, James Barrah, informed councillors that the sales would be “exceptional” and that it would not be a “large feature” of the council’s activities.

He said the capital receipts are ring-fenced and that those receipts are invested into new housing stock.

There are currently 3,923 people on the council housing register.

Money to be reinvested

Cllr Helen Belcher, cabinet member for economic development, regeneration and assets, said that both properties would require a “considerable amount of investment in order to bring them back up to lettable condition.”

In a statement, cllr Belcher said the council is “committed to look to use the money to boost our housing supply in rural areas.”

She added that both properties would take a large amount to bring them back up to standard, as the house in Wilton has solid walls and is also a Grade 2 listed building.

“This is the right decision given that we want to be as responsible with public finances as possible,” she said.

“The decision to sell these properties was made after carefully considering all the options available. The process, which started before May, was thorough, and included detailed reports being presented to the housing board prior to being discussed at the cabinet meeting on July 8.

“The decision was unanimously supported by the housing board which includes tenant representatives.

“We currently have around 5,300 council houses and since 2018 we have provided more than 380 affordable homes, with more than 500 in the pipeline. In addition to these two properties, there are 33 more council houses in Barford St Martin and there are 233 more in Wilton.

“We have made a commitment to increase our housing stock significantly over the next four years, and this decision is part of our council house build programme which will see millions invested in building and acquiring new, energy and cost-efficient council homes.

“These disposals are considered exceptional due to their individual circumstances, and in no way signal any wider disposal programme at a larger volume.

“The sales will allow us to provide homes that are of a modern standard that are appropriate for our residents and invest in our maintenance programme, benefitting existing and future tenants.”