Veterans flats plan approved after delays

A block of flats for former soldiers in Eastwood which faced delays is set to be built after plans were approved.

Broxtowe Borough Council purchased the empty parcel of land off Cross Street in Hill Top in October 2024.

Originally, it had been hoped the block would feature eight flats; however, the scheme has since been revised to six one- and two-bedroom flats to better meet national living space standards.

Last week, the council-run project for veterans who were either homeless, at risk of homelessness or in inappropriate accommodation, was unanimously approved at a planning committee meeting but no timetable was given.

Six car parking spaces will also be created, said the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS).

At the meeting, Greg Marshall of the Broxtowe Alliance group, said: "This is a long-standing project to try and bring forward that piece of land which people say has been derelict for a long time.

"But the intention of course is a very laudable one around veterans' accommodation, and that's excellent."

A three-storey apartment building was previously approved for the site but was never built.

It had originally been hoped the flats would be built in 2025, then work was delayed to early 2026 before further hold ups.

Council leader Milan Radulovic, of Broxtowe Alliance, said there were plans to name the development after the late Sir Dennis Pettitt, a D-Day veteran who served as leader of Nottinghamshire County Council between 1981 and 1998.

John Handley, chairman of the Eastwood and District Royal British Legion, previously said: "These places are in need, so the sooner they're available, the better.

"The council has always been at the front of supporting the armed forces."

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