A Nottingham community hopes new homes in their area will make their neighbourhood "more secure". Work to build 106 council homes in Top Valley resumed this week following the appointment of a new contractor, said Nottingham City Council.
The original contractor appointed to build the homes – 23 one-bed flats, 63 two-bed houses and 20 three-beds – on the site of the former Eastglade School in Whitcombe Gardens ceased to trade last September. Lovell Partnership stepped in and on Monday, July 3, restarted work to complete the build of the first phase of around 50 homes.
It aims to have local people on the council’s waiting list move in on a phased basis from late October this year to mid-February 2024, said Nottingham City Council. Works to build the second phase of homes on the site will then begin, so that all 106 properties can be occupied as soon as possible, according to the council.
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Neighbours said they welcome new people in the area, with dad of two Evaldas Kuodis adding: "At the beginning it was a green area - I am happy they are doing something with it."
The 33-year-old labourer said: "It will be a bit busier, there will be more traffic. The area will change slightly.
"These are nice houses. Families need to live somewhere.
"We lived in Derby before buying this house three years ago. You will get both good and bad people here, but I hope the houses will make the area more secure."
Samantha Gladman, who has lived in the area for more than three years, added: "Hopefully they are finished soon so people can move in.
"It is nice that they are being built for a purpose", she added. Ms Gladman, a 31-year-old teacher, said there were concerns over drugs on the site when it was vacant.
But now she is happy that it is being used to house families. "I think it is good for Nottingham. People need somewhere to live.
"They fit in with the other houses which are also new", she said. "It sits good with the nice community we are."
Lucy Smith, a house owner in the area, 30, also added: "People need houses. There are not enough houses."
Sharmaine Knarambe, a 19-year-old student in the area, said: "I am happy about the houses. I am happy people are moving in the area." "It is a nice area", she added.
Councillor Jay Hayes, Portfolio Holder for Housing at Nottingham City Council, said: “I’m delighted that works are restarting to create these new council homes for local people on the waiting list. They are well-designed and energy efficient – places where people will be proud to live.”
Lovells is also working on the council’s Beckhampton site in Bestwood Park, which is seeing 131 council homes – two and three-bedroom houses, bungalows and flats – being built on land that was formerly a playing field for the former Padstow School off Beckhampton Road.
