Affordable homes plan set to be submitted for Derbyshire

A new project to transform an under-utilised car park by building over 10 affordable homes in Derbyshire will be submitted to local authorities on Wednesday.

Derby City Council has revealed plans to build affordable new homes on an old city-centre car park that saw little use.

Funded by the Council’s Housing Revenue Account, 17 new properties, which would be owned by the local authority and available to rent, have been included in the plan – six townhouses and 11 apartments have been designed and will be submitted for planning approval.

The decision to construct the homes on Drewry Lane car park came after members of the council said only a handful of vehicles were using its 48 spaces each day, even before the Covid-19 pandemic.

Cllr Roy Webb, Cabinet Member for Adults, Health and Housing said: ‘Creating new council homes is a key priority for us, and this development would be a step towards achieving our goal to build or acquire around 100 new homes per year over the next 30 years.

‘By repurposing land which is being under-utilised, we can not only improve areas requiring attention within the city centre but also provide affordable and energy efficient homes for residents who need them.’

As well as creating new affordable homes for locals, the scheme is also ensuring the properties are sustainable. The homes will be fitted with solar panels, high levels of insulation and electric heating or air source heat pumps, which, will help residents save on their energy bills.

If the plans are approved and planning permission is granted, work on the site could begin in late 2023, with the new homes being completed by early 2025.

The Council’s Cabinet will meet to decide on the proposals tomorrow.

Photo by Katy Mackenzie