Church site earmarked for council homes plan
DEMOLITION WOULD CLEAR WAY FOR 24 APARTMENTS
A CHURCH in Clifton is set to be knocked down to make way for social housing.
A new Nottingham City Homes apartment block is proposed for the site in Southchurch Drive, once the old United Reformed Church is demolished, under plans now put forward for the build.
The church’s former leader said it had been shut for a while.
John New, 83, said it “will be coming up for two years” since the church closed.
He said: “People were dropping off, we had only got four or five people, so it wasn’t worth continuing.”
It was reported last year that the city council had agreed a budget to buy the land of the church.
Mr New said: “As far as I know they have bought it and they have put the planning application in.”
With no reason to object to the plans, he added: “I think it’d be good use of the land, it’s convenient for the shops and everything and there’s a good pub across the road.”
He explained the church was located on the “same piece of land” as a “sheltered accommodation” complex called Whiteways Court. The project is expected to create 24 one-bedroom apartments. Nick Murphy, chief executive at NCH, said: “If given the go-ahead, these homes would go towards the council’s pledge to build or buy 1,000 social homes for rent in Nottingham. “The vision responds to the current and future needs of Clifton, with the overall aim of providing a high-quality environment and sustainable development,” a statement, included within the application, reads. Speaking previously, the city council’s portfolio holder for housing, Councillor Linda Woodings, said: “We know that there is currently a significant need for this type of housing in Clifton. “The tricky thing is often being able to acquire the land to build on, so this opportunity with the former church site is a really good one.
“The scheme will deliver the properties needed in this area and the location is perfect.
“It will be in the heart of Clifton, on the tram line and with shops, a pub, leisure complex and health centre right on the doorstep.”
The vision responds to the current and future needs of Clifton.
Nick Murphy