Application submitted for derelict Thatcham building

Sovereign Housing Association has applied to demolish the former temporary accommodation in The Haywards and build 10 new replacement affordable homes in its place.
The site formerly contained 20 temporary accommodation flats.
The new proposal is seeking to build two three-bedroom houses, four two-bedroom houses and four one-bedroom flats.
West Berkshire portfolio member for housing and Thatcham town and district councillor, Roger Croft (Con, Thatcham South and Crookham), said: "It’s the right amount for the site.
"It’s now got a much better layout and design – we hope people will like it much more than the block that's there now."
The move comes after the property owners, West Berkshire Council, admitted in October that the building was no longer fit for purpose and that a redevelopment was the most sustainable approach.
The building had been empty since 2009 so last year the district council decided that it would look at securing a deal to redevelop the site for housing.
Mr Croft said: "It should have been done earlier and I make apologies for that.
"I wasn’t around at the start of it but I know that there were some legal issues with the land to do with some of the pockets of land around the site.
"But it should have been done quicker."
The application follows calls from Thatcham Town Council to ensure that the land, which had been listed as a district council site that was surplus to requirement, was only sold if the deal included affordable housing provision.
Mr Croft said: "The application is good – the old block of flats is not how affordable housing is done anymore.
"It’s an eyesore at the moment and we do need more affordable housing in the area."
Ward member, Lee Dillon (Lib Dem, Thatcham North) added that he was pleased to see that the application had been submitted.
A final decision date of April 15 has been set by West Berkshire Council.