New sentence for Thetford’s old magistrates’ court

Thetford’s redundant magistrates’ court has been reborn as 14 affordable homes after a £1.2 million revamp.

The Bridge Street redevelopment is a joint project between Havebury Housing and Breckland Council of a site that had been empty since 2011, when the magistrates’ court moved to Bury St Edmunds.

Designed by CAM Architects, the build was carried out by EN Suiter and Sons, creating six one bedroom and eight two-bedroom flats.

It was part-funded by the Homes and Communities Agency and was named Heath Court after the former building’s use.

Havebury’s director of operations Philip Sullivan said: “It was a tremendous effort between Havebury and Breckland Council to provide these 14 much-needed affordable homes.”

Cllr Michael Wassell, leader of Breckland Council, who officially opened the flats last week, said: “By bringing an old building back to life, we’ve not only helped to regenerate an important area of the town, we’ve also provided more affordable homes for Thetford people.

“We already help around 500 families and individuals to move into appropriate housing each year, but it’s really important that we continue to work with partners, like Havebury, to offer a greater choice of homes while also meeting rising demand.”

Heath Court’s design includes many benefits for its tenants, such as external cladding which has improved the energy efficiency of the building so will ensure fuel savings for residents. Tenants also have car parking at the site.