Old council depot in new homes bid

A PROPOSED new estate on the site of Hinckley’s old council depot could provide a boost to people looking to get on the housing ladder.

The development of 50 homes at Middlefield Lane would be offered on a mixed tenure basis of shared ownership, rent to buy and affordable rented.

Westleigh Partnerships Ltd (WPL) are working with Nottingham Community Housing Association Ltd (NCHA) and Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council (HBBC) to deliver the scheme.

NCHA will primarily back the project through a Government social housing grant programme from Homes England as well as its own finance and resource from Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council.

A planning application has been submitted which will be determined soon.

If approved all the rented affordable homes would be let to local people in housing need identified through a nominations and lettings process agreed with the borough’s housing department.

The rented properties would be let on an assured tenancy which is not time limited.

The 0.664 hectare plot has lain disused since the council depot was closed and demolished.

Initially the council had considered setting up its own housing development company to deliver affordable homes in various locations, including Middlefield Lane and the old leisure centre site on Coventry Road.

When it became clear such a venture would not be financially viable the decision was taken to market both sites with a view to a third party bringing together residential schemes.

Middlefield Lane was initially marketed in 2013 at £2.3 million, this had reduced to around £1.8 million by 2016.

Now with Westleigh and NCHA on board it looks as if the authority’s aim achieved.

Westleigh describes itself as a Midlands-based developer building modern, contemporary new homes across the region.

The plan for Middlefield Lane is to provide 50 dwellings, comprising of six one-bed flats, 21 two-bed houses and 23 three-bed houses.

The development scale will be over two storeys, matching similar surrounding properties

Westleigh say: “The development will be entirely residential and offer 50 affordable units subject to funding. Therefore helping to fulfil the need for affordable housing within the district.

“Furthermore, the development will be designed with offroad parking and private amenity spaces located to the rear of the dwellings. All dwellings have access to two offstreet car parking spaces.”

Should planning permission be obtained, Westleigh hope to start work on site by this summer. will be