Plans for new energy efficient council homes in St Ann’s have taken a step forward when they were approved at Nottingham City Council’s Executive Board (22 February).
The proposals for 24 homes for affordable rent include ten 2-bed houses, five 3-bed houses and nine 1-bed apartments and will be built to higher energy efficiency standards. This will create warmer homes, using less energy, which is not only better for the environment, but will help support residents to keep their energy costs to a minimum.
The homes will include triple glazed windows, increased solar power, battery energy storage, mechanical ventilation with heat recovery and wastewater heat recovery to all baths.The scheme will also contain parking, car charging points and bike storage to encourage less car use.
The homes would be built on the site of a disused former care home, which was no longer fit for purpose and demolished in 2019 and would be owned by Nottingham City Council and managed on their behalf by Nottingham City Homes (NCH). The development is subject to planning approval and therefore the scheme design and detail is subject to change.
Right To Buy replacement funding, the money councils receive when tenants can buy their council home at a discounted rate, will help meet up to 40% of the costs for developing the new housing.
Cllr Linda Woodings, Portfolio Holder for Planning and Housing at Nottingham City Council, said: “Building council homes which are warmer and even more energy efficient is becoming increasingly important to help support residents to keep their energy costs to a minimum, as the cost of fuel continues to rise.
“Sites like Oakdene in St Ann’s which are no longer fit for purpose are part of the Nottingham City Council plan to provide high quality, energy efficient homes for affordable rent across the city and will provide much needed council housing in the area for local people in need of a home.”
Joanne Hill, Assistant Director of Development at Nottingham City Homes, said: “We are aware of the need for more affordable housing in the St Ann’s area, and we’re looking forward to creating new homes at this site, subject to the necessary approvals.
“There will be some parking on site for residents, although part of the appeal of this location is its proximity to the city centre and major public transport links, which makes it ideal for those who want to lower their carbon footprint in this way.”
