Plans to build apartments for former soldiers and the homeless can now progress in Eastwood after the borough council bought the land needed.
Broxtowe Borough Council completed its purchase of the empty land in Eastwood’s Hill Top last Friday (25 October).
The project is expected to cost about £1.5 million, with the block containing eight apartments.
It would be accessed from Cross Street, with two ground-floor apartments also designed to be wheelchair accessible.
These are likely to be made available for ex-forces personnel and disabled individuals.
Councillor Milan Radulovic (Lab), the authority’s leader, says the council is now looking to start the procurement process and plans to begin construction as soon as possible.
He said: “Everybody complains about ex-forces and veterans on the streets. It’s a national scandal, and what Broxtowe is doing is actually something about it.
“You only have to look at social media, all across Nottingham, to see ex-forces personnel who are now on the streets.
“This is for them to see something of the area and to give them hope that they won’t be homeless, provided by a local authority committed to people’s needs.
“Affordable rent, half the price of the private sector – we’re able to do that in Broxtowe, which saves the taxpayer a fortune.”
The council is working closely with veterans’ associations to help identify those at risk of homelessness.
It was one of the first local authorities in the country to sign the Armed Forces Covenant – a promise to acknowledge those who serve or have served in the forces and treat them with fairness and support.
Cllr Radulovic added: “We will be working with the British Legion and other armed forces charities to identify people in need so they will be able to move into a finished project.”
John Handley, Chairman of the Eastwood and District Royal British Legion, has welcomed the move.
He said: “Broxtowe has always been very supportive of ex-services personnel.
“Providing accommodation for homeless veterans is excellent. It’s sad to hear we have homeless veterans – these people sacrificed an awful lot to serve the country for the benefit of others.
“It may only be eight apartments, but eight is a start. What people have to recognise is that for local authorities to set aside money to do what they’re doing is a very positive step.”
The Royal British Legion runs the Poppy Appeal, the organisation’s biggest fundraising campaign held every November during the Armistice period to raise money for the armed forces.
While primarily funded by the council, the leader says Homes England has agreed, in principle, to support the funding of the housing.
The homes will be available at affordable rent, will have air source heating, cost less to run than standard council housing, and will be built to be environmentally friendly.
The leader says it is hoped the apartments will be available next year.
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