Work is currently taking place to build a raft of new council and social homes across Nottingham in a bid to tackle a shortage of housing.
Nottingham currently has around 140,089 homes, with around 43 per cent owner-occupied and 33 per cent privately rented, while just 25 per cent are now social housing.
Over the decades, the balance has shifted, with social and council housing numbers dropping significantly, while the private rented sector has grown.
The declining number of council and social homes, largely down to the selling of homes under Right to Buy and the lack of adequate housebuilding policies from successive governments, has since created a waiting list in the thousands.
Roughly four in 10 former council properties bought under Right to Buy are now let out by private landlords.
Nottingham’s housing strategy, which covers the period between 2024 and 2028, set a target for 350 additional council homes to be built or bought over the term of the plan, alongside 400 new registered provider homes.
Two housing schemes are now well underway, with completion expected in the coming months.
The Labour-led authority is nearing completion of its Oakdene scheme on the corner of Woodborough Road and St Ann’s Way, where the Oakdene care home once stood.
It is made up of 24 new homes, including 15 houses and nine flats.
A council spokesperson told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: “The new homes are being built using an innovative timber frame construction method that’s not only kinder to the environment but also means quicker build times.
“All have been designed to be energy efficient, to help keep residents’ bills down and protect the environment.”
New tenants will be moving in from late summer this year, with handovers expected to be completed by the end of October.
Work also began in May on a major new affordable housing development in Bestwood, on the former industrial site of Chronos Richardson.
Once complete, this development will deliver 113 affordable homes.
Unlike the St Ann’s site, the scheme between Arnold Road, Arnside Road and Belconnen Road is being delivered by Nottingham Community Housing Association (NCHA).
The provider of social housing says the development will feature 95 houses and 18 one-bedroom flats, including homes for supported living.
In total, the scheme will provide 17 social rent homes, 49 affordable rent homes and 46 shared ownership homes, supporting housing affordability and choice across the city, while one unit within the scheme will be used to accommodate a care and support office.
Fran Cropper, assistant director of development and sales at NCHA, said: “It’s fantastic to be working with Nottingham City Council again on another large development, helping to address local housing needs.
“This site has stood empty for many years, so we’re proud to be creating a new community and bringing a brownfield site back into use.”
The first homes are expected to be handed over in early 2027, before full completion by March 2028.
There are dozens of other schemes in the pipeline.
One of the more recent schemes to be approved included plans for the former Laura Chambers Lodge care home in Swansdowne Drive, which had been vacant since 2016.
Back in May, plans were approved to demolish the old care home building to make way for a new block featuring 40 apartments, as well as 12 new family homes.
However, in June, the number of units was boosted to 52 following further design work.
United Living is also looking to build 198 homes off Summerwood Lane in Clifton, on land that was once home to the Fairham School and Summerwood Day Centre.
Plans for this development, which would also be managed by NCHA, were submitted earlier this year.
By Joe Locker, Local Democracy Reporter
