Council housing is back in Amber Valley in a move that reverses two decades of policy.
For the first time since 2003, Amber Valley Borough Council has become a stock holding council, and the first affordable homes are now ready for local residents to move into.
On Friday 15 March 2024, four brand-new properties in Bayley Close, Kirk Langley were handed over to Amber Valley Borough Council from developer Cameron Homes via a negotiated Section 106 agreement.
It is the first phase of a long-term council housing initiative across Amber Valley.
Councillor Chris Emmas-Williams, Leader of the Council, said: "Today represents a huge step forward in terms of meeting the needs of local people.
"For a long time, I have felt strongly about the need to supply decent council housing for people in our area. The first four homes are now being handed over from the developer with three more to follow at their site."
There will be a total of seven homes handed over to Amber Valley Borough Council at this stylish development off Moor Lane, in Kirk Langley.
The council-owned affordable housing will be released in two phases with the first residents expected to move in during April.
In total, there will be two one-bedroom homes, three two-bedroom homes and two three-bedroom homes. Among the designs will be one bungalow.
All properties will have driveways and gardens, and some homes will include solar panels to help reduce energy costs.
Properties released in the first phase include two one-bedroom properties and two three-bedroom homes. They will be advertised on the council’s Home Options allocation scheme and offered at an affordable rent.
To be eligible to apply for one of the homes within this new community, house hunters must have a local connection to the area or one of the adjoining parishes.
The last time the council was a stock holding authority was in 2003. While the last council homes in Amber Valley were created in 1985, all-but-one of the stock were sold off to Futures Housing, leaving the council with just a single direct housing tenant.
A total of 2014 households are currently on the waiting list for affordable housing.
Councillor Emmas-Williams said: "We are very aware that it is a drop in the ocean in terms of fulfilling the housing need in the area, but we must start somewhere.
"We are delighted to see the hard work of all those concerned in this project come to fruition and to have the first four homes ready for residents.
He said that a further 21 homes are being acquired in Belper.
"It is so important for communities to be able to stay together if they wish to and stop the heart-breaking situation where grown up children of long-standing residents have to leave the area they grew up in because they can’t afford to live in the district," said Councillor Emmas-Williams.
Funding of £8.96 million has been allocated for housing in Amber Valley and will be used flexibly over the next three years.
Affordable homes will be acquired through a variety of mechanisms, and it is expected that the investment will generate income in the long term.
Outside two of the new 3-bed council homes: (l-r) Luke Brindley, Site Manager - Cameron Homes, Councillor Matt Allwood, AVBC Cabinet Member for Housing & Public Health, Amber Valley Mayoress Councillor Lyndsay Cox, Michael Dean, Commercial Director - Cameron Homes, Amber Valley Mayor Councillor Tony Holmes, David Arkle, Head of Housing & Growth - AVBC, Collette Bradbury, Sales & Marketing Director - Cameron Homes, Sandra Kenny, Housing Enabling & Development Officer - AVBC, Councillor Chris Emmas-Williams, Leader of the Council AVBC, Paul Morrissey, Operations Director - Cameron Homes.
Cameron Homes hands keys over to the first four council homes in Amber Valley for more than 20 years: (l-r) Councillor Matt Allwood, Cabinet Member for Housing & Public Health AVBC, Luke Brindley, Site Manager - Cameron Homes, Michael Dean, Commercial Director - Cameron Homes, Amber Valley Mayoress Councillor Lyndsay Cox, Amber Valley Mayor Councillor Tony Holmes, Paul Morrissey, Operations Director - Cameron Homes, Collette Bradbury, Sales & Marketing Director - Cameron Homes, Councillor Chris Emmas-Williams, Leader of the Council AVBC.
Two one-bed council homes; Background: Two three-bed council homes
Contact the team directly on 01773 570222 or email enquiry@ambervalley.gov.uk
