Work to redevelop a sheltered housing complex in Thurmaston is due to start later this year following approval at plans committee.
Charnwood Borough Council submitted the application last year to replace St Michael’s Court, in Melton Road, with nine new high-quality one-bedroom bungalows.
Work to the site which is around half an acre is due to start later this year with the aim of the properties being available in 2025.
Cllr Colin Hamilton, the Council’s lead member for housing, said: “I’m really pleased the application to redevelop St Michael’s Court into bungalows has been approved.
“This sheltered housing complex was built over 50 years ago and is no longer the quality and type of accommodation people want in that area.
“The bungalows will be designed for people with mobility issues in mind and will be a great addition to the Council’s housing stock.
“It’s great we’ve passed this significant milestone by obtaining planning permission and I look forward to seeing the project move forward later this year.”
Eight bungalows will be accessed from Melton Road and one from Garden Street. The site will have a total of 12 parking spaces including a space for each property plus shared visitor spaces.
The bungalows will provide comfortable and accessible living for older council tenants. They have also been designed to help older tenants live independently in the properties for longer.
Features include large windows to allow plenty of natural light, a simple and easy to navigate internal layout and a level access shower. There will also be a large corner window in the kitchen to allow tenants to easily see what is going on outside and promote a sense of community.
Each property will feature a covered porch with facilities to store and charge mobility scooters.
The bungalows will also be built with the environment in mind as the Council continues to make efforts to reduce its carbon footprint.
The properties will feature solar panels to produce electricity and mechanical ventilation with heat recovery which will reduce heat loss from the ventilation system. There will also be six electric vehicle charging points installed in the car park.
St Michael’s Court was built around 1970 and no longer meets the needs of older tenants. The complex comprises mainly of bedsits with shared bathrooms which are difficult to let. It also has long corridors which are difficult for tenants with mobility issues.
