Council presses on with plan for 'extra care' flats

Derby City Council will press on with a plan to turn the site of a former care home into 90 flats for older and disabled people.

The redevelopment of the city council-owned land at Heron Way would increase the supply of "extra care housing" in the city at a cost of £26.5m - dubbed "the largest capital investment in a council housing project in recent times".

Extra care housing allows people to live within their own self-contained home with access to onsite care and support.

The council's cabinet agreed to move forward with the plan at a meeting on Wednesday.

The development could also include a small bistro cafe, resident lounge, multi-use activity room, spa/therapy room, offices, mobility scooter store and a courtyard garden, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

Councillors said the new homes were "desperately needed" at a time when Derby's older population was significantly increasing.

Residents living at the site would be nominated by the council's adult social care team.

All homes would be for social rent and be exempt from Right to Buy sales.

The plans are subject to a funding grant from Homes England – the government's housing and regeneration agency – of almost £11 million.

A council officer told the meeting a grant can only be applied for once planning has been submitted or secured.

A planning application is expected to be submitted later this year.

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