Tuesday, July 2, 2019 - 11:10 Diexter Thomas

Chatham Views – Some people may be negative about it, but it will be positive for those in need of affordable housing

As the new affordable housing scheme was announced by Government yesterday, the chief minister Fabian Picardo took the view that some people might be negative about it, but it will be positive for those in need of affordable housing.

It will be built on the site of the old Westside Comprehensive School, which has been the place for teenage girls to study in for nearly 38 years. Current students and teachers will be moved to the new under development co-education school located at Waterport Road, along with current Bayside Students, in the next academic year. It is hoped that the new high school will be finished by September.

The affordable housing which will feature one, two, three and four bedroom apartments, has a modern exterior, a car park and a small playground for children.

Based on information from a statement from the Government, there will be 228 homes in total at the new Chatham Views, 44 of which are purpose-built for the elderly, leaving 184 flats for people to buy whether or not they are on the housing list. The government had stated that three bedroom apartments are the most in demand, and that one bedroom apartments are the least. Because of this, there are to be 106 three-bedroom flats. 34 two-bedroom flats, 40 four-bedroom flats and only 4 one-bedroom flats.

Mr Picardo stated, 'No doubt there will be people who are negative about the design, negative about the location, negative about the height... the net positive for people and young people in our community who need and want to buy affordable property is absolutely huge, its massive, this is the right thing to do.'

02-07-19 PANORAMAdailyGIBRALTAR