By Lauren Monaghan, Junior Local Democracy Reporter
Plans to build apartments for former soldiers and the homeless can now progress in Eastwood after the borough council bought the land needed.
Broxtowe Borough Council completed its purchase of the empty land in Eastwood’s Hill Top last Friday (October 25).
The project is expected to cost about £1.5 million, with the block containing eight apartments.
It would be accessed from Cross Street, with two ground-floor apartments also designed to be wheelchair accessible.
These are likely to be made available for the ex-forces and disabled.
Councillor Milan Radulovic (Lab), the authority’s leader, says the council is now looking to start the procurement process and plans to start construction as soon as possible.
He said: “Everybody complains about ex-forces and veterans on the streets, it’s a national scandal, and what Broxtowe is doing, is doing something about it.
“You’ve only got to see social media, all down Nottingham, people of ex-forces who are now on the streets.
“[It’s for them to] see something of the area and give them hope that they won’t be homeless, by a local authority committed to people’s needs.
“Affordable rent, half the price of the private sector, we’re able to do that in Broxtowe – it saves the taxpayer a fortune.”
The council is working closely with veterans’ associations to help identify those at risk of homelessness.
It was one of the first local authorities in the country to sign the Armed Forces Covenant – a promise to acknowledge those who serve, or have served, in the forces and treat them with fairness and support.
Cllr Radulovic added: “We will be working with the British Legion and other armed forces charities to identify people in need so they will be able to move into a finished project.”
John Handley, Chairman of the Eastwood and District Royal British Legion, has welcomed the move.
He told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: “Broxtowe have always been very supportive of the ex-services.
“Places of accommodation for homeless veterans is excellent, it’s sad to hear we have homeless veterans- these people sacrificed an awful lot to serve the country for the benefit of people.
“It may only be eight but eight is a start- what people have to recognise is local authorities, for them to put aside money to do what they’re doing is a very positive step.”
The Royal British Legion runs the Poppy Appeal, the organisation’s biggest fundraising campaign held every November during the Armistice period to raise money for the armed forces.
While primarily funded by the council, the leader says Homes England has agreed, in principle, to support funding of the housing.
The homes will be affordable rent, will have air source heating, cost less to run than standard council housing, and built to be environmentally friendly.
The leader says it is hoped the apartments will be available next year.
