Plans approved for new sheltered housing scheme

Building work on a new sheltered housing scheme in Market Bosworth is due to begin in the spring after planning consent was granted by the council’s planning committee.

Demolition work on the existing outdated Ambion Court scheme in Market Bosworth will begin early next year and the new, purpose built, Ambion Court will be built on the same site with the scheme up and running by 2021.

The new scheme, which was designed by Pelham Architects, will replace the existing 29 units with 24 one bedroomed self-contained flats and three one bedroomed bungalows, which will be purpose built to accommodate the needs of tenants aged 60 and over. 

The council has specified energy saving features such as photo voltaic panels on the roof, mechanical ventilation with heat recovery and electric heating across the site. Extensive tree and landscape planting is also planned to enhance the green credentials of the development.

Unlike the existing aging scheme, all new units will boast private wet room facilities plus a balcony or patio offering direct outdoor access. The scheme will also offer a communal lounge, kitchen, dining area, library, hair salon, laundry, offices and storage suitable for mobility scooters as well as a car park.

The cost of the project – around £4.5million – is being paid for by the Borough Council with a substantial grant of £1.2 million from Homes England.

Initially the Borough Council intended to refurbish the aging scheme, but the limited council budget available combined with the cramped layout would have resulted in smaller units, unsuitable for people with additional access needs. However, following the successful bid to Homes England, the Borough Council was able to start again with a brand new scheme, designed with the needs of older tenants in mind.

The 11 remaining tenants moved out of the former scheme and into other sheltered housing schemes of their choice in 2017. The tenants have been kept informed of the development of the new scheme and many are looking forward to returning to live in the newly built scheme once it opens in 2021.

Executive Member for Housing at the Borough Council, Councillor Michael Mullaney, said:

This is an excellent scheme. Residents at the scheme will see a huge improvement in their properties and I’m glad the scheme is being done to high environmental standards. Ambion Court is a great example of modern quality housing for tenants.

The scheme will be available to people aged 60 or over on the council’s sheltered housing waiting list to apply to rent on an affordable rent basis.