LYME REGIS: The town council will fight to save affordable housing units at Monmouth House after the development trust deemed the building too expensive to run.

The update by the Lyme Regis Development Trust (LRDT) was heard at the last strategy and policy committee meeting.

The news comes after the town council opened discussions with the trust to see if it was willing to transfer Monmouth House to a suitable body back in August.

The house was previously given to the trust by the GF Eyre Charitable Trust to house vulnerable people in the town.

A meeting was held recently between the development trust and the Lyme Regis Community Land Trust (CLT), which was also attended by town councillor Mark Gage and town clerk John Wright. A report by John Wright told councillors: “The CLT made their position clear; they are not interested in managing property, their role is to facilitate development.

“And the development trust stated their position; they intend to sell Monmouth House.

“The development trust said that they were prepared to transfer the building to the town council, but the council would take on the liability and risks that the trust currently has.”

The report added that current rental income from the five housing units at Monmouth House is £17,000 per year, but that this income will not cover refurbishment costs identified by the trust as anything up to £200,000. Councillors were in favour of taking on Monmouth House, but the town clerk warned this would come with a ‘very big health warning’ due to the uncertain refurbishment costs of the property. He questioned how much investment would be required and told members that a conditions survey could be carried out on the building to ascertain this.

Cllr Lucy Campbell said: “I would be really sad to let go of an asset like this, and it would be a real loss to the community to let it go.”

Cllr Lovell suggested that the town council considers taking on the building with its liabilities.

He added: “I’m sure we could turn this around and those properties are so desperately needed.

“Monmouth House is an asset, it needs some TLC but someone has to do that.”

Cllr Michaela Ellis echoed these views, describing the transfer of Monmouth House to the town council as a ‘win win’ situation.

Cllr George Symonds added: “This is not just about money but providing for people in our town; it’s in our power to do this.”

Cllr Mark Gage described Monm-outh House as a ‘bird in the hand’ and described Monmouth House as ‘a building in a critical location’.

He also suggested that a conditions survey on Monm-outh House be undertaken and a detailed report brought to the next strategy and policy committee meeting, looking at the options of the town council taking over the property. This suggestion was met with a unanimous vote by councillors, and recommendations by the committee will be considered by Full Council on October 8.

After the meeting, Cllr Mark Gage told The News: “There is a social housing crisis in Lyme Regis and I think it is right as a town council we should do everything in our power to protect available social housing.

“If we can return Monmouth House to use it will be a victory for the most in need in our town.”