Victorian-era house in Coventry to be transformed into social housing flats

[dutchman]

Plans for the house on Albany Road were approved last week



An empty house in Coventry that dates back to Victorian times will be turned into flats for social housing. Plans to extend and refurbish St Thomas House on Albany Road got the green light from the city council last week (30 January.)

The house dates back to around 1900, is locally listed and has "several attractive features", according to a council officer's report on the scheme. The home used to be the vicarage for St Thomas' Church and is also known as 'Wardens House,' it added.

The development will provide "much needed social housing" and bring the vacant building back into use, the officer wrote. The home has been empty for more than four years, according to the application form.

It was last used to "support complex needs" under a partnership between Midland Heart, The Salvation Army and Coventry City Council, it added. The house currently has eight bedsits, a lounge, kitchen, bathrooms and offices with space for three support staff.

It will be turned into seven "self-contained flats," a design & access statement said. The new flats will be available at social, affordable or intermediate rent.

Housing association Midland Heart which runs the neighbouring St Thomas Court retirement living scheme made the application. The building's extension will be single storey and has matching brick to the rest of the house.

[dutchman]

Visit of the Duchess of Albany after whom the road was later renamed: