32 much-needed affordable homes for residents of the district will be built in Littlethorpe following approval by Blaby District Council’s Planning Committee.
The brownfield site on Warwick Road was the Council’s Neighbourhood Services depot until relocation to Whetstone in 2016. The site was cleared and sold to emh homes for £1.125 million in January 2020.
Following consultation with both the Council’s Housing Strategy and Planning teams, an application was submitted in June for 32 homes, featuring 15 two-bed and 13 three-bed properties, as well as four bungalows.
The mix of housing types on the site was agreed with the Housing Strategy team as the most viable and representative of the housing needs for local residents.
Every home on the site will be an affordable property, with the 32 properties going towards addressing the increasing levels of need for affordable long term accommodation in the District. The tenure will be split between social rented homes (the most affordable rented tenure), and shared ownership units for first-time buyers looking to get their foot on to the housing ladder.
Councillor Terry Richardson, Leader of Blaby District Council, said: “This is fantastic news for the district. Our teams have worked exceptionally hard with emh homes to ensure that this site is developed and reflects the housing need of the District.
“The social rented units are the most affordable tenure currently available and are vitally needed in our district. As we have seen from other affordable housing sites in the district, the building of these properties will see local residents given the opportunity to remain close to their families.”
Chris Jones, Executive Director – Development at emh group, said: “We are committed to building affordable, quality homes where they are needed, and this development is one of many that we are pleased to be working in partnership with others to deliver.
Since being announced as a strategic partner of Homes England, we have been able to increase our development activity, supporting us to meet the housing needs and aspirations of people across the East Midlands. Thank you to the team at Blaby District Council for their support during this process.
Continuing the planning and development of new homes requires innovative thinking during these Covid-19 times, and together we have risen to that challenge and as a result we look forward to handing over keys to the new residents later this year.”
The Council will be working with emh group throughout the process, and will be advertising properties as and when they become available. Applicants with a Local Connection to the District of Blaby will be able to bid for the social rented properties through the Councils Choice Based Lettings Scheme.