News

Former hotel site opposite Forest Rec to be turned into 22 apartments

By Lauren Monaghan, Junior Local Democracy Reporter

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A former hotel opposite the Forest Recreation Ground which is being used as accommodation for the homeless will be demolished to make way for a new apartment block.

Plans were submitted back in October 2023 to Nottingham City Council to turn Mount Hooton Lodge in Mount Hooton Road into new apartments.

The plans were granted permission on Friday (May 30).

The existing building was built in the 1930s and was the former White Horse Hotel and also has previously been used as a care home.

Permission was given in 2012 to turn the building into a Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO) and it is currently used by Framework Housing Association as homelessness accommodation for up to 11 individuals.

Previous plans submitted in 2023 wanted 36 apartments on the site, but the number of homes has since reduced.

Now, accepted plans involve the demolition and redevelopment of the site to make way for a new apartment block with 22 apartments across three floors and a lower ground floor.

Apartments will be “high quality, affordable” homes, and be mostly one-bed but three are two-bed according to plans.

Planning papers notes that a previous council strategy “identifies that parts of the city have become imbalanced by virtue of the number of family in homes in use as HMOs” and says the site sits in a “high concentration” HMO area.

Documents say: “The development will regenerate a run down site in a prominent location, provide much needed residential accommodation in a form appropriate to meet market demand and create job opportunities during construction.”

Dave Newmarch, Framework’s Corporate Services Director, said: “This is a premises that we lease to provide accommodation for homeless people.

“We have a very good working relationship with the landlord. We knew of his plans for redevelopment and he has kept us fully informed of his plans every step of the way.

“The current lease runs until November 2026 which gives us time to provide alternative housing, and we have options available to ensure that people have continuity of accommodation.”

Access to the building will be from Weston Avenue with four parking bays located opposite the entrance.