New mini council estate in Derby progresses as demand for housing rises and care home demolished
Construction of a new council estate in Derby is underway as the city faces a growing demand for social housing. The estate will feature 22 homes, including one, two, and four-bedroom properties.
A new mini council estate of more than 20 council homes in Derby is beginning to take shape after the demolition of a former care home.
Construction work to build 22 council homes is progressing at Bonsall Avenue in Littleover.
The former Warwick House care home used to stand on the application site for decades, but now it is filled with several homes currently being built as a new chapter dawns for the area.
It will consist of 5 one-bedroom homes, 10 two-bedroomed properties and 7 four-bedroom houses.
The care home provided respite care for 22 elderly people and five people between 18 to 65-years-old with a learning disability. It was owned by Derby City Council but closed permanently in 2021.
Planning documents stated the development will incorporate a curved public open space on the corner of Bonsall Avenue and Repton Avenue “which will improve the quality and visual amenity of the area for the health and well-being of community” as well as contributing to the local wildlife habitat and enhancing biodiversity.
Documents also stated that electric vehicle charging points will be integrated within the proposal too. The new homes will be managed by Derby Homes, the social housing company of city council, once work is complete.
The construction comes at a time when the city council has earmarked building hundreds of new social housing properties as one of its biggest priorities in the years to come.
The plans were approved by council officers in September due to the city having “a significant housing need”.
And at time of writing the demand for social housing in Derby remains very high. Last year it was reported there were 10,000 people on the waiting list for a council house – the figure being almost as high as the total number of properties the city has in stock which is around the 12,000 mark.
The council has stated previously that the huge demand for housing was caused by several factors. These include private sector rents becoming increasingly unaffordable, houses being sold through Right to Buy scheme, low turnover of social housing – resulting in higher levels of tenancy sustainment and the impact of the rise in cost of living.