Mayor awards £1.9m brownfield boost for 159 affordable homes

Nottingham Community Housing Association will deliver four affordable housing schemes across the East Midlands, including developments in Newark, Arnold, Warsop and Chesterfield.

Mayor of the East Midlands Claire Ward announced funding of almost £2m to to the social housing provider from combined authority’s Bromfield Housing Fund, set to help deliver 159 homes.

The central government-backed brownfield fund is intended to support the delivery of between 1,000 and 1,400 houses in the region through remediation funding, having attracted almost £100m of investment support to date since an initial announcement of £16.8m in 2024.

Paul Moat, NCHA chief executive, said: “Demand for affordable housing continues to grow, and this funding will help us create high-quality, energy-efficient homes that meet a range of local needs, from family housing and opportunities for shared ownership to specialist accommodation for people who need additional support.

“These four projects are powerful examples of how we’re turning our vision for inclusive growth into reality. The developments will provide much-needed housing for affordable rent, shared ownership, and supported accommodation for young people, helping more people across our region access the homes they need.”

The announcement comes as construction continues at NCHA’s Bowbridge Road development in Newark, where 88 affordable homes are being built on a site that had stood vacant for more than a decade.

In Arnold, NCHA is delivering Leivers Court, a development of 30 homes for rent designed to support people who need care and support, and will also support the delivery of 22 homes in Old Whittington, Chesterfield, comprising 16 homes for social rent and six homes for shared ownership.

Meanwhile, Burns Lane, Warsop, will provide 19 homes, including 15 for affordable rent and four for shared ownership.

“Each of these developments will provide safe, affordable homes and help strengthen local communities, while bringing forward sites that will make a lasting positive difference for residents and neighbourhoods across the region,” added East Midlands Mayor, Claire Ward.

“By transforming these long-derelict sites with high-quality, affordable housing, we’re making the East Midlands a region that everyone is proud to call home.”