PLANS to build affordable homes and refurbish a community centre look set to go ahead. A proposal to erect 70 residential properties - 36 affordable - on land at Ivel Court on the Jackmans estate in Letchworth GC was given the thumbs up at a Cabinet meeti

PLANS to build affordable homes and refurbish a community centre look set to go ahead.

A proposal to erect 70 residential properties - 36 affordable - on land at Ivel Court on the Jackmans estate in Letchworth GC was given the thumbs up at a Cabinet meeting. The proposed site was previously occupied by the Gatehouse public house - demolished in the summer of 2005 - and also includes a small car park to the north of the Jackmans community centre.

The plans also include the refurbishment and enhancement of the community centre, at an estimated cost of £532,000. Councillor for Letchworth South East, Julian Cunningham, said: "I think it's an absolutely vital idea. I believe it's absolutely critical to redevelop Ivel Court. "It's partly dead at the moment and doesn't present the right public perception of the estate. I do think it's important to move it forward and I genuinely believe that this is the right thing to do."

The land will be disposed of to a partnership of McCann Homes, North Hertfordshire Homes and Howard Cottage Housing Association, subject to further negotiations on valuations.