By prioritising direct housebuilding, acquisition of former council homes, partnerships with private landlords, and redevelopment of under-utilised sites, Broxtowe has delivered sustainable, high-quality housing solutions.
At a glance
What went in
- Priority area addressed: Building and acquiring affordable housing to meet the diverse needs of local residents.
- Budget: The council has utilised capital receipts, section 106 funding, prudential borrowing and secured £2million Homes England support for the housebuilding programme and further £3 million to deliver more homes is currently in negotiation.
- Other resource needed: Two degree apprenticeships have been established to grow in-house construction and development expertise
What came out
The Housing Delivery Plan, launched in 2019, is a 10-year roadmap for addressing affordable housing needs in the Borough. Key objectives include:
- Building 230 homes by 2029 on under-utilised and derelict land, and increasing the stock of homes for all communities.
- Strengthening partnerships with housing associations, developers, and local charities.
Executive summary
Broxtowe Borough Council within Nottinghamshire has taken an interventionist and pragmatic approach to dealing with housing issues over the last few years, working closely with the private sector, as well as securing £2 million from Homes England to ensure those who are on the housing waiting list get their opportunity to take pride in their own home- including families, veterans and those with dementia.
Faced with rising property prices, an acute shortage of affordable rental accommodation, and increasing demand for specialised housing, the Council launched an ambitious Housing Delivery Plan in 2019. This transformative programme has demonstrated innovation, resourcefulness, and collaboration in building and acquiring affordable homes to meet the diverse needs of local residents.
By prioritising direct housebuilding, acquisition of former council homes, partnerships with private landlords, and redevelopment of under-utilised sites, Broxtowe has delivered sustainable, high-quality housing solutions.
Over the last two years, Broxtowe has been proud to buck the national trend, and has built and acquired, more houses than its sold through right to buy legislation, reflecting the council’s ambition to reverse the erosion of affordable housing.
Also as a result of the affordable housing delivery programme, Broxtowe’s housing waiting list is declining, and has the lowest number of people.
This case study highlights the council’s achievements, is innovative approaches, and impactful outcomes for residents.
Challenge and context
Broxtowe faces significant housing pressures, with a growing waiting list for affordable housing and increasing demand for specialist accommodations. To meet these challenges, the council has adopted a multi-faceted approach that includes:
- Building dementia-friendly bungalows and homes for ex-service personnel.
- Acquiring properties through buy-back programmes and from private developers and landlords.
- Redeveloping brownfield sites, under-used land, and dis-used garage plots.
Over the past five years, this approach has created a sea-change in the council’s capacity to provide affordable housing, particularly as more homes are built or acquired than sold under Right-to-Buy – a remarkable achievement given current market constraints.
What we did
Direct Build Programme
The council has built or is developing energy-efficient homes tailored to the needs of its residents, including:
- Five one-bedroom homes for veterans in Stapleford, featuring air source heat pumps and photovoltaic solar panels. These homes were developed in collaboration with a local Armed Forces charity to ensure bespoke support for residents.
- Dementia-friendly bungalows designed to provide safe and supportive environments for older residents.
- Homes at the Inham Nook pub site, which will deliver 15 dwellings and a ‘pocket park’ for community use, demonstrating commitment to sustainability and regeneration.
Acquisition of existing properties
- The council has bought back 36 former Right-to-Buy properties, with potentially another nine this year.
Partnerships with private sector
- The council has worked closely with private landlords to acquire properties that might otherwise have been lost to the rental market due to environmental or financial reasons. This proactive approach not only preserves affordable housing stock but also ensures quality standards for tenants.
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The Council’s ‘Field Farm’ section 106 scheme of 26 homes, includes Broxtowe’s first shared ownership homes. The Council is also negotiating with a private developer to deliver 34 rented and 17 shared ownership homes.
Environmental sustainability
- Broxtowe’s developments emphasise sustainability, incorporating renewable energy technologies such as air source heat pumps and solar panels, reducing carbon footprints and lowers energy costs for residents.
Utilising council-owned land
- The council has maximised the use of its and, for example:
- At Chilwell, nine new homes are being built on former garage sites.
- The Inham Nook pub site redevelopment, 15 homes, replaced a disused pub and garages with high-quality housing and a community park.
Supporting vulnerable populations
Broxtowe’s housing programme is deeply attuned to the needs of families, vulnerable groups and veterans:
- Veterans’ accommodation: The Oakfield Road project provided much-needed housing and support for ex-service personnel, a historically under-served population. The council has purchased an additional site, in the north of the borough, for its next veteran’s accommodation site.
- Elderly residents: Dementia-friendly bungalows offer purpose-built, accessible homes for older residents with specific health needs.
- Families in crisis: In a heartwarming Christmas story, the Council stepped in to rehouse a family displaced by flooding, providing them with a brand-new home and a fresh start.
Funding and support
- The Council has utilised its capital receipts, section 106 funding, prudential borrowing and successfully secured £2 million from Homes England to support its housebuilding programme. The Council signed a funding agreement with Homes England in 2023, and are delivering homes ahead of schedule, and is negotiating a further £3 million of Homes England grant to deliver 39 more homes. The Council was also successful in securing LAHF3 grant to develop specialist accommodation.
- Two degree apprenticeships have been established within the development team to grow in-house construction and development expertise.
The Broxtowe Housing Delivery Plan
The Housing Delivery Plan, launched in 2019, is a 10-year roadmap for addressing affordable housing needs in the Borough. Key objectives include:
- Building 230 homes by 2029 on under-utilised and derelict land, and increasing the stock of homes for all communities.
- Strengthening partnerships with housing associations, developers, and local charities.
The difference
Broxtowe Borough Council’s affordable housing programme exemplifies the creativity, determination, and collaboration needed to tackle the UK’s housing challenges. From building energy-efficient homes for veterans to acquiring former Right-to-Buy properties and redeveloping derelict sites, the council has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to providing high-quality, affordable housing for its residents.
This bold and imaginative approach is not only alleviating housing pressures but also creating vibrant, sustainable communities. Broxtowe Borough Council is proud to be leading the way in local authority housebuilding and is honoured to submit this entry for recognition.
Milan Radulovic, Leader of Broxtowe Borough Council commented that ‘I am very proud of this affordable housing delivery programme, bringing much needed homes across the borough’.
Vanessa Smith, Cabinet Member Housing Services added ‘I am delighted in the progress made with the house-building and given the difference a home makes to health and life chances’.