Neighbours living opposite the site of a former city school are concerned about proposed plans to build 'affordable' specialist housing on the site.
Formerly Woodside First and Nursery School the council-owned building is currently being used as the Heartsease area's community hub.
However, Norfolk County Council has decided to try and sell the five-acre Plumstead Road site.
The nursery's final day was on August 31 last year and on Monday members of the council's Conservative-controlled cabinet agreed to sell the site, after it was identified as a potential site for new affordable housing.
But those living near to the hub are concerned about just how affordable such housing would be.
Jonathan Ames, 31, lives in Plumstead Road and said: "I feel more housing is good but the government’s definition of affordable is different to the rest of us.
"It wouldn’t be a bad thing if it was affordable, but everything seems to be going up.
"You end up getting places put up for £200-£300K, which seems to be the average and then you have loads of empty spaces."
Read More: Waiting game over fate of housing bid for former school playing field
Alison Birmingham, county councillor for Crome Ward, said: "I would support the suggestion that this land may be earmarked for an Independent Living scheme, or similar, as there is a lack of this provision in Norwich.
"It would be good if this was in-house, as this tends to provide the best quality care.
"Whether the properties would be for sale or rent is unknown and no firm proposals are in the pipeline as yet."
Sonya Bryant has lived in Plumstead Road for 26 years and added: "I haven't seen the area used that often so something needs to be done.
"But I'd like it to be social housing because there's a dire need for it.
"If it were to be affordable housing, just how likely is it that it'll actually be affordable for people in the city?"
Share