Wednesday March 6, 2024
For immediate release
Cabinet to consider long-term vision for sheltered accommodation schemes
Charnwood Borough Council’s Cabinet will consider a long-term vision to improve its sheltered accommodation schemes.
The proposed Sheltered Accommodation Strategy Framework outlines a range of possible options and opportunities to improve its schemes which offer accommodation for older tenants.
In total, the Council owns 14 sheltered accommodation sites. There are 13 low-rise schemes, most of which comprise of a mixture of bedsits and flats. One is a bungalow scheme.
The strategy highlights that most of the schemes were built in the late 1960s and early 1970s and some no longer meet the needs and aspirations of older tenants.
Around a quarter of units across the Council’s portfolio of sheltered accommodation are empty with a link between empty properties and those without their own bathroom.
Cllr Colin Hamilton, lead member for housing said: “The Council is committed to providing high-quality accommodation and this strategy demonstrates a need to explore a range of options in the future for the schemes, most of which were built over 50 years ago.
“It provides the Council with a framework to work to and outlines some of the challenges we may face but also many opportunities to improve a number of schemes.
“To be clear, we are talking about a long-term plan and there will be no immediate changes for tenants living in some of these schemes. We will continue to communicate and engage with our tenants along the way.”
The document outlines that many factors will need to be considered before any future improvements are undertaken including the types of homes people want or need and the level of demand.
It also proposes that schemes with the highest number of bedsits and voids are likely to be prioritised and considered first.
The Council has completed a range of improvements at four locations in the last several years.
It comes as a project to redevelop St Michael’s Court in Thurmaston was approved at Plans Committee last month. The scheme will see nine new bungalows created.
The framework also features possible options for the future of Fielding Court in Loughborough. The site has two blocks with just under 50 properties. However, A Block needs substantial repairs, and many properties were already empty as they have shared bathrooms and are difficult to let. Some tenants have already been moved to other properties.
Cabinet will be asked to consider the potential options for Fielding Court. One of the short-term options will be to decommission A Block and retain B Block in the interim.
Further options for the site will be considered later in the year.
The Sheltered Accommodation Strategy Framework is due to be considered at cabinet on Thursday March 7. The report can be found on the Council’s website.
ENDS