A Suffolk charity has made a last ditch appeal for a generous benefactor to donate or lend the cash required to save much sought after affordable housing for young people.

Framlingham’s Hour Community has been seeking support for its proposals to refurbish six secure flats at a former Flagship-run property in College Road.

The building has been unused for some time and Flagship wants to create a new development on the site.

Although the social landlord says it will include affordable housing in its proposals, Nick Corke from Hour Community believes the building’s current mix of one-bed flats is perfect opportunity to provide for young people.

“We believe that this is a fantastic chance for Framlingham to teach young people about independent living,” he said,

“Once it’s gone it’s an opportunity lost forever.”

Hour Community needs around £300,000 for the project, which it is seeking either as a donation or a load offered at a reasonable rate for a year.

As well as flats, the building would accommodate two mentoring rooms for local organisation – the Framlingham Area Youth Action Partnership (FAYAP) and the Worry Tree Cafe, which helps people with mental health issues.

FAYAP would also be able to run a community space for 16-21 year olds, while Hour Community would have an office to operate from.

There is also space for car parking a kitchen and laundry.

Framlingham town councillors welcomed Hour Community’s intentions at a meeting last year. James Tanner, who was then chairman of the council said: “It would be a shame to lose it.”

Responding after the meeting, Stuart Longbottom, director for strategic asset management at Flagship, said: “We can assure the local community that there will be affordable homes on the development on College Road. We are aware of the local housing demand and as a responsible housing provider and owners of this land, our priority is to provide homes for people in need.”

Mr Corke has stressed that Hour Community did not expect Flagship to donate the site, merely offer it at a “fair price”.

Anyone interesting in helping Hour Community can contact Mr Corke on 07860 673700 or by emailing him.