Former sheltered accommodation at Pilgrim Court, Haywards Heath is set to be offered to local key workers while its long term future is decided by Downland Housing Association.

The one bed roomed flats are currently empty after government funding for a new extra care development for the elderly was refused, forcing Downland to reconsider the future of the site.

“We are keen to see the site put to good use and make it benefit the local community, but we have to work within the government frameworks of funding and planning regulations,” said area manager, Kevin Day.

“Finding the right long term solution for Pilgrim Court may therefore take a little while , in the meantime we have a number of flats that, with a little work, could provide affordable homes for the people who provide essential services.

“This is a short term measure that will give us the time we need to seek out the right solution for Pilgrim Court, Downland and the local community,” he added.

Due to escalating house prices in the south, ‘key workers’ such as police, nurses and firefighters find it difficult to get onto the property ladder and some have been relocating to more affordable regions of the country. This means that there is the threat of a labour shortage if action is not taken and this has led to the government identifying this housing need.

The flats will now be advertised locally through Duffy and Co estate agents and the key workers will start to move in over the next few weeks.

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