General hospital work to begin in two months

Mansfield District Council is procuring a contractor with a view to starting work on the social housing scheme on West Hill Drive with completion due around November 2017.

The estimated £8.5 million gated development, which was given planning permission last month, will provide 42 one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments and 12 bungalows for rent.

Consideration is being given to make six of the bungalows available for sale through a shared-ownership arrangement.

The homes will be set around a landscaped ‘village green’ incorporating a trim trail with outdoor fitness equipment.

The apartment block will offer communal facilities including a TV lounge, a quiet reading room, a dining room served by a communal kitchen and an outdoor terraced area. Storage will also be available for mobility scooters and cycles.

The scheme, which is for people aged 55 plus, offers accommodation for residents with a range of needs, from people with support and extra care needs to the active elderly.

Mansfield District Council’s partner Nottinghamshire County Council, which is contributing £400,000 towards costs, will be able to nominate residents for 10 apartments designated for people with extra care needs.

The development will bring back into use a plot of land which has been derelict for at least 20 years.

The old site was bought by Mansfield District Council through a compulsory purchase order after years of campaigning by residents to see the old hospital demolished.

Mayor of Mansfield Kate Allsop, who has backed the development scheme from the start, said: “We are delighted that this scheme has taken another major step towards completion, providing much needed housing for people aged over 55.

“We chose to develop this site ourselves as part of our commitment to providing high-quality, affordable housing across the district.

“This accommodation will enable older people to live both independently and with support, and will cater for a range of needs.”