New council homes finished on Bellamy estate
Mansfield District Council has taken formal handover of a £7.7 million development that delivers 22 new council houses on the Bellamy estate, with the final tenants due to move in over the coming days.
The properties were completed by Mercer Building Solutions and formally transferred to the council earlier this month. Some households have already been given keys and are living in the new homes; nine families were reported to have moved in last year and the remaining 13 homes have been allocated and are scheduled for occupation shortly.
The scheme comprises 20 semi-detached houses in two-, three- and four-bedroom layouts and two two-bedroom detached houses. The council says the homes are being offered at affordable rents set at 80 per cent of local market rents.
- Investment: £7.7 million
- Total homes: 22 (20 semi-detached, 2 detached)
- Tenancy status: 9 occupied, 13 allocated and moving in soon
Design, energy and local improvements
Council leaders emphasised the energy-efficiency features of the new-builds. The houses include super-high insulation, solar panels and air source heat pumps, features the council says will make them among the most energy-efficient new builds in the UK. External spaces include generous gardens and electric vehicle charging points.
The council’s own architectural team designed the homes, which it describes as future-proofed for changing family needs. Interior layout details highlighted by the authority include plentiful storage and numerous electrical sockets intended for modern living.
"It is absolutely brilliant that this significant new council housing project has been completed. For the council this is a major achievement and one that makes me extremely proud," said Executive Mayor Andy Abrahams.
He added the regeneration work has improved the heart of what had been a 1960s estate and pointed to complementary local developments including new shops, play areas and upgraded transport links. The council has indicated an improved bus service will be operating soon to serve the estate.
Local context and implications
For Mansfield residents on the housing register, the development represents a direct increase in the supply of council homes let at below-market rents. At 80 per cent of local market rents, these properties are aimed at making housing more affordable for families waiting for social housing.
Regeneration of the Bellamy estate is presented by the council as a multi-faceted project: alongside new homes, the addition of shops and play areas is intended to enhance everyday amenities for existing neighbours as well as new occupants. The council says improved bus services will further integrate the estate with the wider town, affecting journeys for work, school and shopping.
Although the council has not published projected running-cost figures for households, the combination of high insulation, renewable power and heat-pump technology typically reduces ongoing energy bills — a crucial consideration for families facing rising living costs.
Project partners and next steps
Mercer Building Solutions delivered the build and the council has taken handover. With 13 homes allocated and occupancies starting imminently, attention will now shift to settling in tenants and making sure the promised local facilities and bus improvements come into operation as planned.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Cost | £7.7m |
| Homes | 22 total (20 semi-detached, 2 detached) |
| Current occupancy | 9 occupied, 13 allocated |
| Energy features | Super-high insulation, solar panels, air source heat pumps |
The council described the development as an example of "council housing at its very best" and said it will benefit both families on the housing waiting list and other residents of the Bellamy estate through improved amenities and transport links. Residents will be watching to see how quickly the additional shops and the improved bus service are delivered and how effectively the new energy measures reduce household costs.
