Nottingham City Council could increase the number of new council homes planned for the former Laura Chambers Lodge site in Clifton East from 40 to 52.
A report to the council’s Executive Board, due to be considered on 16 June 2026, asks councillors to approve an amended capital programme for the housing scheme, increasing the overall funding envelope from £10.77 million to £11.97 million.
The former Laura Chambers Lodge site was previously approved for demolition and redevelopment in December 2024, when the council agreed to progress plans for around 40 social housing properties. Since then, detailed design work and the planning process have allowed the authority to bring forward a larger scheme.
Planning permission has now been issued for 12 houses and 40 flats on the site. The report says the increase in homes means an additional budget is needed before the scheme can move to tender and procurement for construction contractors.
If approved, the decision would increase the number of homes on the Clifton East site by 12, taking the total to 52. The council says the change would help it remain on track to meet and exceed its affordable housing delivery targets under its Housing Strategy for 2024 to 2028.
That strategy sets a target of 350 additional council homes over its term, alongside 400 new homes delivered by Registered Providers. According to the report, Nottingham City Council has so far completed 267 new-build homes and purchases, with a further 33 on site or in process. Another 138 homes have already been approved for delivery, with all due to start on site or complete during the strategy period. Approval of the Laura Chambers Lodge amendment would increase that figure to 150 approved homes.
The report says the new homes would make use of council-owned land and help ease pressure on the housing register and homelessness services.
The additional funding would come from Right to Buy Replacement Fund receipts and Section 106 affordable housing contributions. The report asks the Executive Board to allocate a further £1.144 million from Right to Buy Replacement Fund receipts and an additional £51,410 from Section 106 affordable housing monies.
The original capital budget approved in December 2024 was £9.77 million, funded by £8.37 million of Right to Buy receipts and £1.4 million of Section 106 affordable housing contributions. The proposed decision would increase the capital approval by £1.195 million to £10.965 million, excluding land appropriation sums, which the report says are a debt reapportionment rather than capital spend.
The report also refers to a wider funding envelope of £11.97 million, including scheme costs and contingencies. It says the increase reflects the higher number of homes, construction costs, inflation, and additional sums including Section 106 and Biodiversity Net Gain contributions.
Council officers say the larger scheme would reduce the average cost per unit compared with the previous approval. The report states the average cost would fall from £244,000 per home under the 40-home scheme to £211,000 per home under the revised 52-home scheme, a reduction of 17 per cent.
The site has been vacant, in poor condition and has attracted vandalism, according to the report. It says previous consultation with local councillors found they were supportive of the development, and the risk of local opposition is considered low.
The report also notes that the former care home site is currently accounted for in the council’s General Fund and would need to be appropriated to the Housing Revenue Account if the recommendations are approved. A refreshed market valuation will be required to inform that transfer, reflecting the planning consent granted on 6 May 2026.
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