A new temporary hostel made out of modular buildings that was described as looking like a “penitentiary” by critical councillors when they approved the plans will cost at least £7.5 million, it has been revealed.
An East Yorkshire company, Premier Modular, has been awarded a £7.5 million contract to build the 58-unit modular building that is planned for the Desborough Road car park site in High Wycombe.
The new building – which will be a bigger replacement for the “isolated” Saunderton Lodge hostel along the busy A4010 – will temporarily house vulnerable families who find themselves homeless.
Premier Modular says it is working with contractors Claritas on the project and the units will start to be built off-site at some point in the summer.
It is due for completion in 2021, with the one-bedroom apartments being made at Premier's Yorkshire factory, arriving on site in "late autumn".
Shower rooms and kitchens will be pre-installed in the modular units before arriving at Desborough Road.
The homes will be constructed around a central courtyard which will be amenity space for residents.
A housing management office, offices for the relocated British Red Cross, and laundry will be located on the ground floor, with bin stores and cycle storage in the plaza.
Premier Modular says the units will use roof-mounted solar panels to generate electricity.
Buckinghamshire Council's property and assets cabinet member, said building the new units off-site will reduce disruption to those living, working and visiting the Desborough Road area.
Cllr Isobel Darby, cabinet member for housing and homelessness added: “We have ambitious plans to provide more accommodation for people who are homeless.
"This project will increase the number of temporary homes in High Wycombe by 65 per cent, enabling us to meet the growing local need and provide a much better living environment for families who need our help.
"The new accommodation will also bring people closer to local amenities, such as transport facilities, GP surgeries and schools as well as other support services.”
Councillors and nearby businesses and organisations raised concerns before the new building was approved in April last year that Desborough Road was not a safe location for vulnerable young families.
At the time, Richard Lodge, from the King’s Church next door to the site, said it was "frankly dangerous" to house families there, adding: "Antisocial behaviour is not a concept but a reality in the Desborough Road area every week – we know that because we work there.”
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The design of the new building was also slammed by councillors, with some describing it as looking like a “penitentiary” with a “fence Trump would be proud of”.
Despite the concerns about the location, the Desborough area is undergoing massive regeneration to try and shake its reputation for being a part of town rife with prostitutes, drug dealing and drinking.
DesBox and a new Aldi and Lidl have already been built in the area.
ALSO READ: Area of High Wycombe to undergo 'massive' investment as hundreds of new homes planned
Inland Homes is building the new Centre Square development at one end of the road with 240 apartments with shop space, while at the other end, historic Leigh Street furniture factories are also being transformed into 227 one and two bed flats.
The former Needham Bowl is tipped to be overhauled by Paradigm Housing into duplexes and flats.
Permission has also been granted to overhaul the dilapidated Collins House (51 homes and three shops) Castle House (Eight homes) and Buckingham House (85 homes) in the area.
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