Major plans to redevelop a former specialist residence for the blind and partially sighted into a 100 percent “affordable housing” scheme have been approved.

Roehampton’s Pocklington Court, in Alton Road, will be knocked down to make way for 95 new “affordable” homes after Wandsworth Council green-lit the proposals on July 19.

The now-empty and vacant 1960s building was previously owned by the Thomas Pocklington Trust (TPT) before it was closed and residents were moved out in 2015.

READ MORE: Pocklington Court: Major plans to redevelop Roehampton residence submitted

Cllr Will Sweet, the council’s planning committee chair, said: “This is a 100 percent affordable housing scheme that will provide high quality homes for local people.

“Nearly half will offer much needed extra care accommodation to meet the needs of residents who require enhanced levels of support and assistance.

“It will also provide more than 50 homes for people on lower incomes. They will be offered for rent at London Living Rent levels and also on low cost shared ownership terms.”

Of the 95 new “affordable” homes, 41 of them will offer “extra” supported by housing services.

Meanwhile, the remaining 54 will be available for intermediate shared ownership or rent at an “affordable” cost.

These homes will be provided in three buildings with wheelchair-accessible accommodation as well as communal recreational space and landscaped gardens.

Parking will be available to residents and care staff in a basement car park, with secure storage space for 92 bicycles.

Wandsworth Times:

A concept image of the new residence

Cllr Sweet added: “All the properties will be built to a very high standard with generous floorspace, a dual aspect outlook, good communal facilities and attractive outdoor space.

“Because the site is located on the border with Richmond Park, it was important that we were able to shape the scheme to not only deliver the maximum level of affordable housing possible but also to limit the development’s impact on this historic green space.”

Pocklington Lodge used to house around 48 blind and partially sighted tenants before they were moved out when TPT stopped offering supported housing.

A TPT spokesman told Wandsworth Guardian, in March 2016, that the decision came after a “comprehensive assessment” of tenants’ needs.

It was found that the majority either didn’t require specialist assisted living services in Pocklington Court or their needs “went beyond what is currently being delivered”.

Now the tenants have been relocated to different accommodation while Pocklington Court is under the ownership of a different charitable housing provider.

In March this year, Simon Curtis, TPT’s head of property, told Wandsworth Guardian: “Our housing centre at Pocklington Court, built in the 1960s, was closed last year with all the tenants being supported to move to alternative accommodation.

“We have been in discussions with Optivo [housing provider] about the future of the site and were aware that they would be making a planning application.”

Work is expected to be completed in around the summer of 2020.