Social housing plan for precinct ‘eyesore’

The owners of Bramley Shopping Centre say they are keen to invest in the area, and have drawn up a new plan to convert the centre’s disused Viewpoint office building into flats.

They also say they are in talks with at least two “major” high street names.

Paul Smith, who manages the centre on behalf of owners New River Retail, said the company was keen to put “some serious investment” in the precinct and the unpopular Viewpoint building.

“The plans are either to turn [Viewpoint] into social housing for up to 20 flats or we can look at using it as a community offer,” he said.

“The Viewpoint plan is in its infancy. New River are currently in dialogue with the local council on how to move that forward”.

Mr Smith said the company was also in advanced talks with a “fairly significant major high street retailer” who was “definitely interested” in taking on some of the vacant retail space at the centre.

And he said grassland next to Farm Foods, at the back of the area’s Tesco store, could be the site of up to two big names.

Mr Smith presented an outline of the proposals to councillors and community groups at a meeting last week.

Bramley Labour councillor Caroline Gruen said the social housing proposal was welcome and a “quality development” could plug the area’s housing gap.

“The private owners of the centre have to make money,” she said. “They do have to charge rents. Social housing would almost pay for itself.”

Locals welcomed the redevelopment plans, with one saying: “We don’t want any more betting or payday loan shops.”