Eyesore Lenton toy shop torn down as work starts on new affordable housing

A derelict Nottingham building which had once been a toy shop has been torn down so it can be replaced by new housing. The former World Wood Furniture warehouse in Sherwin Road, Lenton, has been demolished in preparation for the construction of 34 affordable apartments.

The warehouse had been empty for years after the business closed, with neighbours frustrated nothing had been done with the large building. It had previously been occupied by the Jolly Giant toy store.

Two new three-storey apartment blocks will replace the now-demolished structure, with one containing 19 one-bedroom and 4 two-bedroom apartments and the other consisting of 11 one-bedroom apartments. The new homes will be managed by local housing provider Jigsaw Homes Midlands and will be available for so-called affordable rent and Rent to Buy, with allocations through Nottingham City Council.

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The development will be built on the current pay and display car park on Sherwin Road and will have 15 car parking spaces, bicycle storage areas, a bin store and landscaping. Garnet Fazackerley, operations director of development at Jigsaw Homes Group said: “We are proud to be delivering more new affordable housing in Nottinghamshire, working with our partners GEDA, Nottingham City Council and Homes England to transform this former disused warehouse into homes that are much needed by local residents.”

The £4.8m development, which is being partially funded by government agency Homes England, is expected to take around 14 months to complete. Chris Stinson, associate director at contractor GEDA, added: “The site itself has been underutilised over the past number of years and it is terrific that it is now being redeveloped into 34 affordable homes and we are delighted to be working on this scheme with our client Jigsaw Homes Group.

“The concept and design of the two new apartment block buildings is modern and well considered. Each of the apartments are designed to be well insulated as well as both bright and spacious. We are excited to have made a start on site and look forward to more progress over the next few months.”