Eight bungalows could replace sheltered housing

EIGHT bungalows for council tenants could replace a sheltered housing complex.

Charnwood Borough Council said St Michael’s Court, in Melton Road, Thurmaston, was built over 50 years ago and no longer meets the demands of local older people.

It comprises mostly bedsits with shared bathrooms which are hard to let.

The council’s cabinet will consider allocating a budget to progress the bungalows project on Thursday.

The authority said proposals are at a very early stage and the plans are all subject to further detailed work on a business case and planning permission.

Councillor James Poland, lead member for public housing, said: “Cabinet will be asked to support the proposal and I am pleased to see it reach this stage.

“St Michael’s Court is not providing the quality and type of accommodation people want in that area and that’s why this plan has been brought forward.

“We have consulted with the few remaining tenants about the plans and have offered them our full support.”

Cabinet will be asked to approve the redevelopment of St Michael’s Court with a provisional budget of £2 million.

It will be told a replacement sheltered scheme has been considered, but data from the housing register shows there is not a high demand for that type of accommodation in the area.

The size and location of the site would also not accommodate a sheltered scheme which would meet the aspirations of older people and be good value.

The scheme is also next to a listed church which could limit the scale and mass of any development.

The current tenants of St Michael’s will be given first refusal of a bungalow and alternative accommodation during construction.