Decision details

Decision Maker: Assets & Community Safety Portfolio Holder, Housing & Planning Portfolio Holder

Decision status: Recommendations Approved

Is Key decision?: No

Is subject to call in?: Yes

Purpose:

To seek approval from the Portfolio Holders to convert former Cash Office at 14a Waddesdon Road, Harwich into two-bedroom accessible housing property.

 

To facilitate this, to also agree to transfer the property from the General Fund to the Housing Revenue Account and authorise the submission of a planning application.

Decision:

To initiate the Property Dealing Procedure and to approve the submission of a planning application for its conversion into an accessible housing property.

Reasons for the decision:

The building has been vacant for several years, is deteriorating and providing no income. The local housing demand is rising and there is a shortage of accessible housing in the District.

Alternative options considered:

(1)     Do nothing;

(2)     Seek a commercial tenant;

(3)     Seek a community focused tenant; and

(4)     Dispose of the building.

Publication date: 02/10/2026

Date of decision: 25/08/2026

Effective from: 10/10/2026

Accompanying Documents: