A new era in the life of a warehouse in the heart of Thetford began yesterday with the start of an affordable housing scheme.The former maltings in Old Market Street has also served as a bus station and furniture store over the years.
A new era in the life of a warehouse in the heart of Thetford began yesterday with the start of an affordable housing scheme.
The former maltings in Old Market Street has also served as a bus station and furniture store over the years.
And the owner of the 19th century building, which is listed for its historical and architectural interest, said yesterday that he would be undertaking a sympathetic renovation as work began to create 24 flats.
Andrew Hadley, of Hadley Homes, who bought the redundant site 18 months ago, said he had no fears about the project for one and two-bedroom homes despite the current precarious state of the housing market.
He added that he hoped to take on further schemes at other historic buildings in Thetford to meet the big demand from first-time buyers.
Piling work by Pentaco Construction began yesterday. A steel superstructure is being built inside the shell of the flint-clad building to create the 24 units and 15 car parking spaces on four levels over the next year.
Mr Hadley said there was a desperate shortage of first-time buyer and buy-to-let accommodation in Thetford, and he hoped to sell the one-bedroom flats at £105,000 when they came on to the market next year.
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