The buyer of Branch Hill House in Hampstead has been revealed as Almax Group after it wrote to around 1000 local households informing them of plans for public consultation over the future of the building – including how it could accommodate affordable housing on-site.

The note – from PR firm Kanda Consulting – explained the “small residential developer” want to work with local people to create a sympathetic development and it also said it was “in discussions” with Camden over the provision of on-site affordable housing.

The loss of affordable housing in the area is an issue community groups have been concerned about since the sale was sanctioned by the town hall earlier this year.

Sanya Polescuk of the NW3 Community Land Trust said: “We would hope that we wil be part of the process.

“A number of local residents have got in touch with me asking what’s going on. We want to be part of the process. Affordable housing on-site is important and we are hoping we will be able to see what they offer.”

Sanya added the letter sent by Kanda had been confusing as they did not actually name Almax in it.

Janine Griffis, who heads up the Hampstead Neighbourhood Forum said: “We would welcome genuine dialogue with the local community. The Hampstead Neighbourhood Plan designates the area around Branch Hill area as a Local Green Space. this means that any development that causes harm to a Local Green Space will not be permitted.”

Almax have bought Branch Hill House from Camden Council, but as negotiations remain ongoing the council could not reveal the purchase price.

A spokesperson for Almax said the old care home was “in urgent need of care and attention”.

They added: “We are proposing to retain and refurbish the main house, beautifully landscape the overgrown gardens to provide a better local habitat for wildlife and to encourage biodiversity.

“We have engaged with Camden through a pre-planning application process and have had a number of design workshops to ensure that we respect the listed buildings in the curtilage and are in discussions regarding the provision of on site affordable housing.”

Almax will be holding a series of drop-in consultation meetings at the house, the first takes place at 10am on Saturday October 20.