New home for family

A family in which one of the members is wheelchair-bound and suffers from a range of conditions including arthritis is celebrating the news that they have moved into a new build bungalow in South Derbyshire.

The couple and their teenage son had been on the Housing Register since December 2022 and needed to move closer to other family members to receive care and support.

The bungalow they have been allocated, plus the adjoining one, have been purchased by South Derbyshire District Council (SDDC) to add to its stock of council homes. The council has used money previously acquired from a developer – section 106 funding – and so the cost has been met without the need to borrow money or take any from the Council’s Housing Revenue Account.

The properties are situated within a new development by Cameron Homes, off Park Road in Swadlincote. SDDC’s Strategic Housing team worked in conjunction with Cameron Homes and Pick Everard to ensure the homes were built to the council’s high quality housing specification.

The accommodation includes fully fitted kitchens, an adapted triple shower in each for easy access, enhanced fire protection systems and wheelchair accessible internal doors. They each boast lawned gardens and off-road parking.

Following approval of SDDC’s “Future Delivery of Council Housing” in August 2021, every development opportunity in the district must demonstrate it represents both value for money and also meet an identified need in the local area. Swadlincote is an area of high demand.

Councillor Gordon Rhind, chair of the council's Housing & Community Services Committee, and vice-chair Councillor Mick Mulgrew, have visited the properties ahead of the residents moving in. Cllr Rhind said: “These properties will provide much-needed affordable, accessible accommodation that will enable two families to live independently.

“Increasing the range of affordable housing is very important to us and we are delighted to see its continuation.”

The second bungalow will be allocated to another family in need through the council’s Housing Register. To apply for social housing in South Derbyshire please go here.

Pictured during their visit to the properties are (L-R) Councillor Mick Mulgrew, Vice-Chair, Housing and Community Services Committee, and Councillor Gordon Rhind, Chair, Housing and Community Services Committee.

10 January 2024