Building work set to start on new council homes near Derby city centre

Plans to build new council home apartments near Derby city centre have been rubber stamped - with work set to start in 2025. Derby City Council’s Labour administration have approved in principle the development of a new residential site at Barlow Street, close to London Road.

The development would see the creation of 12 apartments, forming two blocks each of six apartments. Each home would have three bedrooms, making them "family homes".

It is hoped building work could start as soon as March 2025. Planning permission for the site has been approved but expires next April, so “significant work” is needed in the coming months to avoid a planning application having to be re-submitted.

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The Barlow Street site is said to have “easy access” to local primary and secondary schools, the city centre, various shops on London Road and has good transport links – making the homes ideal for families looking to get a council house who may be currently in temporary accommodation.

It is well known that thousands of people are seeking a council house from Derby City Council. Earlier this year it was reported that up to 10,000 people were on the waiting list. This high demand, not just in Derby, but across the UK, has led to building new council homes becoming a “priority”.

A council report said: “Developing new council homes is set out as a priority in both the council plan 2022-25 and the council delivery plan 2024-25.

“The purpose of developing new council homes is to provide secure, affordable and high-quality homes for people whose housing needs may not be met by the private market. Some of the people on the housing register are among the most disadvantaged in the city and the proposed use of the land, targets support towards these people.”

At a cabinet meeting on November 13, Labour councillor Ndukwe Onuoha said: “I am glad we are doing this. The thought of having a place you can comfortably say is yours at the end of the day is heartwarming.

“The thing with temporary accommodation is you never know what’s going to happen or what is around the corner. Sometimes you can be one financial decision away from being homeless. This will help families and children settle down.”

After building works are complete a site handover to Derby Homes, who will manage the homes on behalf of the city council, is likely to take place around the summer of 2026 according to the project's anticipated outline programme.

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