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 District Coun

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 District Council 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.