New affordable homes in Stoke-on-Trent

Work has started on building new affordable housing for rent alongside specially adapted bungalows for families in need.

Two former garage sites off Fallowfield and Pembridge Road are being turned into a total of 11 three-bedroom homes, including a bungalow at each location. Phased work on both Blurton sites has now begun, with completion for Fallowfield expected in May next year, and Pembridge Road in June 2020.

The £1.45 million scheme will be funded by a combination of £430,000 from Right to Buy receipts and funds from Stoke-on-Trent City Council’s housing revenue account. Stoke-on-Trent-based firm Kettle & Talbot has been appointed to carry out the construction.

At the Fallowfield site there will be four three-bedroom houses and one three-bedroom adapted dormer bungalow. At Pembridge Road there will be five three-bedroom houses alongside the three-bedroom adapted dormer bungalow.

All homes will be for rent – with people registered on the council housing waiting lists being allocated to them – and will have car parking spaces and a garden.

Councillor Joanne Powell-Beckett, the city council’s cabinet member for housing, said: “It’s fantastic to see these developments taking shape – providing quality homes for our residents and adding to our rapidly growing housing stock. There’s a real need for affordable housing of this size in the Blurton area and it’s important we continue to make sure there is quality housing for people living in the city at every stage of their lives. It’s also vital that we make sure we have adequate provision of accessible, adapted housing for families who need them – which is why we are building two specially adapted bungalows as part of these developments.”

The city council has been working with local charity The Donna Louise Children’s and Young People’s Hospice, which has highlighted a need for the bungalows on the two sites.

Angela Ward, children and families social worker at the charity, said: “The Donna Louise brought to Stoke-on-Trent City Council’s attention the urgent need for accessible, adapted and adaptable housing for families with life-limited children and young people. The Donna Louise, the city council and other agencies are pleased to be working together to attempt to address this particular need which has recently been recognised by the Equality and Human Rights Commission, as a hidden crisis in the housing market nationally.”