12 new affordable homes, which have been built on the site of a former car park, have now been completed. 

The scheme has transformed the previously underused Drewry Lane car park into six 2-bedroom houses and six 1-bedroom apartments, helping the Council to meet its priority to create a modern city with jobs, skills and homes for the future under the current Council Plan 2025-26. 

The homes, part funded by the Brownfield Land Release Fund 2, are owned by the Council and are being managed by Derby Homes, the Council’s Arms Length Management Organisation, with tenants now moving into the properties. 

Designed by Halsall Lloyd Partnership and built by Mercer Building Solutions, the highly insulated homes have been given EPC ratings of A and B. They are also heated by highly efficient air source heat pumps and solar panels have been installed on every property.

With a central location in the heart of the city centre, the development is close to local amenities including shops, schools, and the Friar Gate Goods Yard where homes are being built by the private sector.  

The development is part of a wider programme of affordable housing being built by the Council across the city.

Councillor Shiraz Khan, Cabinet Member for Housing, Strategic Planning and Regulatory Services, said:

It’s brilliant to see the completion of another housing development scheme in Derby. The 1-bedroom apartments and 2-bedroom homes will provide much-needed, low-cost and high-quality housing for individuals and families. 

The Government has recently announced that the Future Homes Standard will become mandatory for all new homes, but here in Derby we have been ahead of the game, investing in highly efficient homes that will be cheaper to heat, as well as being part of our transition to a low carbon economy. 

Derby, like all other cities, faces a challenge in finding suitable and available land, however, we continually review our underused assets to assess their potential for redevelopment. We are dedicated to providing suitable and affordable housing across the city, as set out in the Local Plan.

Katy Mercer, Director at Mercer Building Solutions Ltd, said:

We are really proud to have delivered these much needed affordable homes on Drewry Lane in partnership with Derby City Council and Derby Homes.

This scheme is one of several affordable housing developments we are delivering for the Council, transforming underused sites into high quality, energy efficient homes that support the delivery of affordable housing across the city.

Achieving EPC A ratings across the development highlights our commitment to sustainability, helping to reduce energy costs for residents while supporting the city’s wider carbon reduction ambitions.