Land disposal will make room for 20 retirement homes for Doncaster residents

A scheme to build on the former depot and offices at Cooke Street and Truman Street in Bentley is expected to return £100,000 in capital receipts to the council.

Around 20 properties are expected to be constructed by Housing21 - a is a not-for-profit provider of retirement housing and care for older people of ‘modest means’.

The properties will be split between eight two-bedroom bungalows, six one-bedroom flats and six two-bedroom flats.

In terms of land values, prior to demolition Cooke Street was valued at £205,000 and Truman Street Depot at £93,000 totalling £298,000. Post demolition the value of the combined site is estimated to be £195,000.

Housing bosses said If the council were to sell the land with a view of using the receipt to fund additional new homes, the value would only facilitate around one to two homes or three to four homes if matched by a Homes England grant.

A recent study has found Doncaster has a ‘net affordable housing need’ of 209 units per year over the next five years to cope with the ageing population seen nationwide.

Cabinet members are expected to approve the freehold disposal of land to Housing 21 at £5,000 per plot for the development of the affordable retirement housing.

Rents - which are expected to be between £95 and £125 per week - are more expensive than those under council management.

But the properties will be fitted include adaptable bathrooms, digital alarm call system, communal lobby area, sprinkler systems to apartments, and a buggy store.

Adam Goldsmith, head of strategic housing at DMBC, said: “Disposing of the land will facilitate the provision of much needed older people’s accommodation.

“Good quality, modern accommodation designed to meet the needs and aspirations for all Doncaster’s residents, including older people is a key mayoral priority.

“The council recognises that increasing housing choice helps to divert the need from residential care to helping people to remain independent for longer. Self-contained apartments enable people to live more independently but also with the comfort that access to the community is close by.”

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