Empty Victorian house to become social housing

St Thomas House in Coventry has been empty for more than four years

An empty house that dates back to Victorian times will be turned into flats for social housing.

The refurbished Thomas House on Albany Road, Coventry, will provide “much needed social housing” and bring the vacant building back into use, a council officer said.

The house dates back to around 1900, is locally listed and has “several attractive features”, according to a council officer’s report on the scheme.

The home used to be the vicarage for St Thomas’ Church and is also known as Wardens House.

Plans to extend and refurbish the property were given the green light by the city council on 30 January.

The home has been empty for more than four years, according to the application from housing association Midland Heart.

It was last used to “support complex needs” under a partnership between Midland Heart, The Salvation Army and Coventry City Council, it added.

The house currently has eight bedsits, a lounge, kitchen, bathrooms and offices with space for three support staff.

It will be turned into seven “self-contained flats,” a design and access statement said. The new flats will be available at social, affordable or intermediate rent.

The building’s extension will be single storey and has matching brick to the rest of the house.

Midland Heart also runs the neighbouring St Thomas Court retirement living scheme.

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations.

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