Up to 102 homeless people could move to Rickmansworth if plans for 17 temporary accommodation units are approved.
The plans, submitted by Three Rivers District Council on March 1, propose replacing the former Royal Voluntary Service in Bury Lane with modular homes.
Because the accommodation is temporary and residents are not expected to live there for more than 18 months, a two-bedroom apartment can legally house up to four adults and two children.
Three Rivers District councillor David Sansom has criticised the plans and said they are simply a money-making scheme.
READ MORE: 'It’s not very moral to not tell the truth': Council leader accused of lying to public
The council claims the units will alleviate current housing problems and save it up to £340,000 a year by 2018.
But last month, cllr Sansom refuted this claim and accused council leader Sara Bedford of lying about the number of homeless people in the area.
Rickmansworth resident Nina Hoskings also criticised the proposed development, and expressed concern over the appearance of the houses which will be built in a conservation area.
She described them as “shipping containers” that would not “fit in” with Rickmansworth.
READ MORE: Up to 266 homes for homeless could be built
Building the apartments would also mean demolishing the community centre, which formerly provided a ‘meals on wheels’ service for elderly people.
But speaking to the Observer last month, cllr Bedford said: "We need to ensure that we can house as many people as possible in council or housing association accommodation. Not to do so would be letting down both our vulnerable residents and our council taxpayers.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel