Work starts on new council homes on Sutton Baths site

The start of new housing developments at the old Sutton Baths site. Children from Bright Stars Childcare visit Bob The Builder on site. l-r back is Cllr Chris Baron, Cllr Steve Caroll, Cllr Warren Nuttall, David Kirkham and Cllr Linford Gibbons Kirkby East.

The ceremonial sods cutting for the development took place on Monday, with the chairman of Ashfield District Council, Linford Gibbons and television character Bob the Builder having the honours.

A total of 22 new apartments and three bungalows are to be constructed on the site, which is on Brook Street in Sutton.

Also present to witness the occasion were youngsters from the nearby Bright Stars Childcare, the leader of the council, Coun Chris Baron, portfolio holder for housing, Coun Warren Nuttall and local ward councillors.

Coun Baron said the ceremony marked an important day for the council.

“This is the first step in building high quality homes in Ashfield, for the first time in almost 30 years,” he said.

“This development has been specifically designed for people aged 60 plus, and the apartments will be full of features which will enable people to continue to live independently as they get older.”

Stuart Belfield, operations director of Willmott Dixon, said: “We are pleased to be involved with Ashfield District Council’s inaugural scheme.

“We are looking forward to completing a quality product that the whole community can be proud of.”