A new development of 73 affordable apartments has been completed in Hucknall and is set to welcome its first residents later this year.
Gilbert House has been completed by Midlands-based Deeley Construction in partnership with Preferred Homes, a leading provider of extra care housing.
The £15.9 million scheme on Watnall Road features 66 one-bedroom and seven two-bedroom apartments, which are all available at an affordable rent for residents aged 55 and over.
It includes an on-site bistro café, landscaped gardens and communal areas for residents and the wider community to meet and socialise.
The apartments are designed for people who can live independently but need some elements of personal care and support.
The scheme has been part-funded through Homes England’s Affordable Homes Programme and the apartments will be managed by Pinnacle Group.
It is the second development completed by Deeley Construction in partnership with Preferred Homes and has seen the transformation of a former police station site into a new community on the edge of Hucknall.
Preferred Homes and Deeley Construction were joined by representatives from Pinnacle and the wider project team, including BMJ Architects, Quantem and Couch Consulting, at a ceremony to mark the completion of the scheme.
Ian Whitehead, Construction Manager at Preferred Homes, said: “It’s brilliant to see Gilbert House reach completion and know that it will help meet a local need for affordable, fit-for-purpose housing.
“With these 73 new homes, we’re giving older people with care needs the opportunity to retain their independence and still get the support they need. We selected this site in the heart of the Hucknall community so that residents would be able to maintain relationships and routines that are so important to their wellbeing.
“As with all our schemes, we’ve worked closely with partners to ensure Gilbert House has communal spaces for residents and the wider community to enjoy.”
Gilbert House includes rooftop photovoltaic panels and air source heat pumps to reduce the running costs and carbon footprint of the building, with residents also able to use four electric vehicle charging points.
The project also delivered significant social value, with Deeley Construction spending more than £777,000 with businesses in the local area. A total of 32 apprentices were employed across the project supply chain, while the site achieved a 45 out of 45 Considerate Constructors Scheme score.
Deeley Construction also supported local education initiatives, including a £500 donation to Nottingham College to support construction students on a volunteering trip to Vietnam, and work with Holgate Academy on a careers fair and follow-up student careers advice.
Eleanor Deeley, Joint Managing Director at Deeley Group, said: “We are proud to have worked alongside Preferred Homes to transform this brownfield site into important affordable apartments for the area.
“The location is a real strength of the scheme, as it is a new community only a stone’s throw from the centre of Hucknall. It will enable residents to live independently with the right care and support in place, still being within touching distance of the town centre.
“It also builds on our strong track record in delivering high-quality later living and extra care schemes which support communities across the Midlands.”