Plans submitted to axe two social housing blocks in Essex
As part of a new regeneration project, plans have been submitted to demolish two social housing blocks in Harlow which used to house young people who were on the streets.
Known as Occasio House in Harlow, Essex, the complex closed in 2016 and the owner was informed that it would cost millions to replace it aluminium cladding following the Grenfell Tower disaster – in a report published in 2019, experts discovered that Grenfell Tower fire was due to the material the building was made of and since, builders and housing developers are reluctant to use it.
Harlow District Council have now bought the complex and have plans to demolish it to make way for a town centre regeneration scheme. According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, the Council wants to build a new arts and cultural quarter, which would include refurbishing the Harlow Playhouse Theatre.
East Thames Housing Group opened Occasio House in 2001 for young people struggling to find accommodation and employment.
However, it could be argued that more blocks like the one being demolished are needed as since the COVID-19 pandemic and the continued rising inflation rates, more young people are finding themselves without a stable home – last year children’s charity, action for Children reported it is estimated that over 120,000 children and young people are homeless.
In 2016, the Your Harlow website reported in 2016 that the site’s 116 properties were closed down because the owner and Essex County Council considered the accommodation model was no longer fit for purpose.
The Council stated in December last year that they had bought the empty buildings in College Gate for £1m. The demolition application was submitted to the Council’s planning team on 3rd April and it is hoped that the work would be completed by 31st January 2024.
Image: Gene Gallin