Concerns have been raised that new houses set to be built by Silva Homes may not be used to house families in Bracknell waiting for a home.

The housing association’s plan to demolish garages off Merryhill Road in Priestwood for 11 new homes was approved by councillors earlier this month. But only four of the new homes have been allocated for ‘affordable housing’ for rent.

Some councillors questioned why Silva – which manages housing for Bracknell Forest Council – doesn’t plan to let all of the new homes to people on its waiting list. Councillor Naheed Ejaz said Silva Homes has a ‘habit’ of disposing of land once owned by the council.

She said: “Once they demolish them they never come back as social housing, which is my main concern.” She added that the council should ‘take that concern quite seriously’ with families waiting ‘year on year’ on its housing waiting list.

READ MORE: Silva Homes given the go-ahead to demolish garages

Bracknell Forest Council sold most of its council houses to a private housing association, Bracknell Forest Homes in 2008. It later rebranded as Silva Homes and was bought by a larger company Abri last year.

Councillor Gareth Barnard said it was ‘very sad’ that not all of the new homes on the former council land would be rented at affordable rates. He said: “I was a councillor at the time that transfer took place.

“Bracknell Forest Homes before they were renamed Silva made it very very clear that the opportunity around the housing blocks to provide affordable housing for rent was going to be front and foremost. I would share concerns it’s very sad that’s not happening now.”

And councillor Patrick Smith said: “I do have concerns that Silva are seeking to sell these properties rather than adding them to our overstretched housing stock.

“This was land that originally would have been Bracknell Forest’s land.”

He also said he hoped the money made from the private housing would be reinvested into homes in Bracknell, rather than other homes owned by Abri outside the borough.

The councillors were speaking at a meeting of the council’s planning committee on June 13. The committee approved the plans despite the concerns, as it can only refuse permission based on planning law and policy.

A spokesperson for Silva Homes said the firm ‘strives to provide the highest level of affordable housing, whilst achieving value for money’.

They added the final amount of affordable housing at the new Merryhill Road development would depend on a ‘viability assessment', but it would be no less than four – and could increase.

They added that any profits would be reinvested into its housing stock – but wouldn’t confirm that it would be kept in Bracknell.

Pankaj Vara, Lead Growth Partner (New Homes & Regeneration) at Silva Homes said: “All surplus is reinvested into maintaining our existing homes, building new homes, or supporting our communities.

“This targeted investment, guided by priorities identified through consultation with Silva Homes' customers, has already contributed to significant improvements in our repairs service, contact centre performance and our approach to damp and mould.”