New homes for crime hotspot

The land, off Allen Street, near George Street, was home to 51 bedsits that made up St George's Court and St James's Court, which were owned by Ashfield District Council.

They became one of Hucknall's worst crime and disorder hotspots, blighted by vandalism, drug dealing and life-threatening arson-attacks.

But they have now been demolished and the land, valued at 850,000, has been sold in a half-price deal to signal a new era for social housing for low-income families and the elderly.

A meeting of the council's Cabinet rubberstamped moves to sell the land to Eastern Shires Housing Association (ESHA), of Leicester.

Now ESHA will start work in March on a 1.45 million development that will feature 34 flats – 24 for rent to tenants selected from Ashfield's housing waiting-list and ten for sale to over-55s at a reduced cost.

The properties, in four two-storey blocks, will be managed by Ashfield Homes and will provide the blueprint for a partnership-led series of developments.

In Hucknall, these will include one for 30 houses and flats off Papplewick Lane, one for 19 houses and flats off Washdyke Lane and possibly one for 30 flats on the site of the former Fascia Mania building, off Ogle Street.

The partnership is seen as key to Ashfield Council tackling a housing waiting-list of 5,461 people.

Council leader, Coun Jason Zadrozny (Lib Dem), said: "A total of 67% of Ashfield's population struggle to afford a mortgage on an average-priced property.

"With this first development, a crime hotspot is being tackled and better housing delivered, at no cost to the council or taxpayer.

"We are attracting investment, eradicating crime and grot-spots and taking people off housing waiting-lists. This is exciting news for residents and great news for the council."

Hucknall's deputy leader of the council, Coun Austin Rathe (Lib Dem), also backed the scheme fully.

And Paul Shackley, the council's head of health and housing, said: "We will be looking to develop many 'brownfield' (used) sites in the area. These are good locations and at the centre of communities.

"Crumbling and ageing buildings, especially ones that are not designed for modern living, do nothing to reduce crime or give people nice places to live.

"New, modern housing blocks, with open spaces and better stairwells, will help design out crime. This is great news for the area."

The council are set to grant ESHA 425,000 from their affordable-housing funds towards the building work off Allen Street.

Officers hope plans will be underpinned by 500,000 from the Housing Corporation – the government agency set up to fund social landlords.

The eyesore flats were finally pulled down last year – after months of delays compounded by nesting birds.

Back in 2003, the blocks of three-storey flats were labelled a death trap when, in the aftermath of an arson attack, it was revealed there were no fire extinguishers because they had been attacked by vandals.

Also in that year, ten adults and two children had to be rescued by firefighters from upper floors.

The report to Cabinet stated: "Developing a site such as this is a priority for the council as it enables an increase in the provision of rented social housing for all ages but, in particular, the elderly.

"In addition, it has regenerative benefits and reduces anti-social behaviour."

The ESHA bid was chosen above five others because it requires the least amount of funding.

But there is still some opposition with Coun John Willmott (Lab), of Hucknall, suggesting the land should be used to build bungalows for pensioners.

Conservative councillor, John Dymock, also of Hucknall, said he thought the old buildings could have been improved or extended rather than be demolished. This is great news for the area.”

The council are set to grant ESHA 425,000 from their affordable-housing funds towards the building work off Allen Street.

Officers hope plans will be underpinned by 500,000 from the Housing Corporation – the government agency set up to fund social landlords.

The eyesore flats were finally pulled down last year – after months of delays compounded by nesting birds.

Back in 2003, the blocks of three-storey flats were labelled a death trap when, in the aftermath of an arson attack, it was revealed there were no fire extinguishers because they had been attacked by vandals.

Also in that year, ten adults and two children had to be rescued by firefighters from upper floors.

The report to Cabinet stated: “Developing a site such as this is a priority for the council as it enables an increase in the provision of rented social housing for all ages but, in particular, the elderly.

“In addition, it has regenerative benefits and reduces anti-social behaviour.”

The ESHA bid was chosen above five others because it requires the least amount of funding.

But there is still some opposition with Coun John Willmott (Lab), of Hucknall, suggesting the land should be used to build bungalows for pensioners (SEE BELOW).

Conservative councillor, John Dymock, also of Hucknall, said he thought the old buildings could have been improved or extended rather than be demolished.