Work has started to replace a Nottingham college with 'fantastic' new social housing. Demolition of the former Nottingham College on Farnborough Road in Clifton began earlier this year so construction of Nottingham Community Housing Association's (NCHA) new headquarters and housing could begin in early June.
The derelict college had been empty for some time and was hit by a large fire on April 14, 2022. The new complex will include 50 apartments for older people with onsite support and communal facilities, 14 apartments and six bungalows for supported living.
It will also host the new headquarters for NCHA, accommodating around 200 staff at any one time. The existing sporting facilities, including the football pitches, club-house, changing rooms and gym will remain, and help support NCHA’s ambition to create a "vibrant, stand-alone community of colleagues, residents and local people".
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This mixed-use development is due to be completed by Autumn 2024. Representatives from NCHA, constructors GEDA, Homes England and Nottingham City Council recently gathered together to mark the start of the development.
Nottingham City Council’s regeneration team leader, Ceri Davies, said: “It’s fantastic to see good quality, specialist development coming forward from the partnership of NCHA and GEDA.
“The development will provide modern options for older people and those with support needs, something that is critical to Nottingham having a housing offer that meets people’s needs and requirements, now and into the future. It's also great to see NCHA, one of our most valuable and active delivery partners, locating an office in Clifton, seeing the potential in its amenities and connectivity.”
Social housing provider NCHA owns an estate of 10,000 homes and provides around a million hours of care and support services each year. NCHA has been developing 420 new homes every year, but this year the company said it would be reducing its building work to 370 new homes.
Aaron Hughes, Managing Director at GEDA, said, “We are delighted to be embarking on this project. The entire project team have been working extremely hard over the past number of months finalising detailed design ahead of this start on site.
"We are looking forward to working with NCHA and the rest of the delivery team to turn these impressive plans into reality.” The residential accommodation will contribute to NCHA‘s Strategic Partnership 2021-2026 with Homes England, to deliver new, affordable homes across the East Midlands and East of England.
It comes after emergency services were called to a fire at the former Clifton College campus site on April 15 last year. The building was described as being well alight at the time. At the height of the incident, residents were advised to avoid the area if possible and keep windows and doors closed.
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