No 'affordable' flats as centre set to be converted to homes

PLANS to convert and extend a former Derbyshire family centre into a four-storey block of flats have been approved - but none will be “affordable”.

- By EDDIE BISKNELL

At an Erewash Borough Council meeting, councillors begrudgingly approved plans to renovate, convert and extend the former Albany House family centre in Albany Street, Ilkeston, into 28 flats.

The building, which has already been extended and converted into a four-storey modern property, had previously been a family centre, but was closed in 2019 by Derbyshire County Council, having served the community since 1968.

In early 2024 councillors had approved the plans, subject to the developer, G Redfern Properties, signing a Section 106 document pledging £39,000 for sustainable transport, money for so-called “affordable” housing and £8,400 for open space improvementsbut this was never signed.

The developer has since approached the council saying the scheme could not financially support these contributions, claiming this would make it unviable. Officials agreed with this assessment and recommended that councillors still approve the plans.

They said the value of land and the proposed homes in Ilkeston were both low, which made it difficult to have a financially viable scheme in the town.

Developers had previously made these same statements about Ilkeston’s land value to a Government planning inspector.