Chesterfield Borough Council has given the go ahead for seven existing community rooms to be converted into eight new bungalows.

The agreement comes after an extensive public consultation revealed overall support for the planned conversions. Of the Council’s tenants that responded to the consultation, 78% indicated their support. The Tenants Executive, made up of tenants who represent the interests of the 9,724 households for which the Council remains landlord, also voted in favour of the proposals. The final decision is subject to the Council's call-in procedure whereby Cabinet members can request that the Council’s Scrutiny Committee consider the decision.

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The Council presently has 790 applicants on its waiting list for bungalow accommodation and a further 891 families awaiting houses. The new bungalows are part of the Council’s ongoing plans to reduce the waiting list and at the same time to retain its housing stock.

The cost of the conversion will be in the region of £298k (£37,250 each). A new build bungalow would normally cost the Council in the region of £80k so the conversions represent excellent value for money, providing eight new bungalows at half the normal new build cost.

Tony Rogers, Lead Member for Homes and Neighbourhoods said: "By converting the community rooms into bungalows we are adding to the Council’s housing stock in providing much needed new accommodation in the Borough, and thus easing pressure on the housing waiting list not only for the elderly but also for families through management of the waiting list.

"We've consulted with our tenants, community forum members and the Tenants Executive on this issue and the majority have been in favour of the conversion of the community rooms into bungalows."

(CD/GK)