Veteran flats project moves forward after delay

Broxtowe Borough Council completed its purchase of the empty parcel of land in October 2024

A project to create apartments in Nottinghamshire for former soldiers who may be homeless has taken a step forward.

Broxtowe Borough Council completed its purchase of an empty parcel of land off Cross Street in Eastwood's Hill Top in October 2024.

The authority plans to build eight apartments, with the scheme designed to support ex-forces personnel who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.

The apartments were expected to be available by 2025, but council leader Milan Radulovic said he hoped formal building works would now start by spring 2026, with site clearance starting either this week or next.

The leader told the Local Democracy Reporting Service the council-run project could go through the authority's planning committee in early 2026.

Radulovic said: "Veterans being on the street is a national disgrace. We're doing our bit.

"We have six ex-forces accommodation in Stapleford that are fully occupied. This only meets part of the local need, which we'll look to increase over the years."

Radulovic said the authority had to alter some of the designs, as some of the flats were not big enough initially and a common room had been added to allow external support to have space on site.

He said there were plans to name the development after the late Sir Dennis Pettitt, a D-Day veteran who served as leader of Nottinghamshire County Council between 1981 and 1998.

Radulovic said the project, expected to cost about £1.5m, was not supported financially by the East Midlands Combined County Authority, and is instead primarily funded by the council, with Homes England providing some support.

John Handley, chairman of the Eastwood and District Royal British Legion, said: "It's disappointing the council haven't been able to move faster, but these things take time. It will be great if they are able to start building next year.

"These places are in need, so the sooner they're available the better. The council has always been at the front of supporting the armed forces."