Newly acquired Council homes prioritise accessibility

Published: 9 September 2021

Derby City Council have purchased 10 new homes, eight of which are fully adaptable, designed specifically for disabled occupants. 

The purchase comprises of four fully accessible bungalows and four fully accessible two-storey houses at Hackwood Park in Mickleover.  The houses have a lift between the floors so that wheelchair users can access the upstairs living area.

The eight homes have been fitted with state-of-the-art technology to enable wheelchair-bound occupants to use kitchen hobs and prepare food for themselves, as well as being able to use wet rooms to enable household members to have as much independence as they require when washing or bathing.  

The two further properties are general needs flats with their own front doors.

All 10 properties will go to those on the housing register. The homes will provide additional affordable accommodation for those in housing need in the city.

The new homes form part of the Council’s affordable housing stock and will be managed by Derby Homes. The majority of the properties were completed in May 2021 and are being commissioned ready for letting.

Councillor Roy Webb, Cabinet Member for adults, health and housing said: 

The facilities are quite ingenious and have been designed specifically for wheelchair users, who are typically restricted by the accessibility limitations of older homes.

The electric kitchen surfaces are the first ones in our housing portfolio and having worked closely with Occupational Therapists we are sure they will prove to be hugely successful with the tenants. Whilst these aren’t something we fit as standard, it’s great to be able to increase our provision with this development.

There remains a high demand for affordable accommodation which can cater for disabled people and those with health conditions or impairments across the city. 

We will continue to work with our partners, housing association partners as well as Derby Homes – to help deliver as many as possible new build homes and look for further ways to help disabled occupants.

Hackwood Park is a large development of two-to-five-bedroom homes in the Mickleover area of Derby and is being built across several phases following its initial launch in September 2018

Benjamin Massey, Regional Managing Director for Miller Homes East Midlands, added:

We are delighted to have worked in partnership with Derby City Council to create a number of specially adapted homes at our Hackwood Park development, some of which are fully accessible.

Since its launch in September 2018, Hackwood Park has proved very popular. A real sense of community has been established within the development and we hope the residents of these new specially designed homes, which have been built to Miller Homes high standards, will enjoy the benefits of living there.

Housing