WORK has started on the ‘final piece in the Belgrade Plaza jigsaw’ which will provide new homes for the elderly in Coventry.
Deeley Construction has been appointed to complete a new £6.8million development on Bond Street in the city centre.
The project, which will be known as Bond’s Lodge, has broken ground and is expected to be completed by April 2020.
The completed scheme will see a three-storey building constructed, featuring 45 self-contained apartments for the elderly.
It is being funded from the Coventry Church (Municipal) Charities’ own resources together with a grant from Homes England and a loan from the Charity Bank.
Existing properties run by the charities include The Almshouses which were founded in the early 1500s and today are both sheltered housing schemes for elderly citizens in the city.
Since the Second World War, the charity has engaged in two major projects in Hill Street, the building of Bond’s Court in 1985 and the extension of Bond’s Hospital in 2004.
With the completion of Bond’s Lodge, its latest scheme, the number of residents could rise to more than 150 in 2020.
Chairman of Coventry Church (Municipal) Charities Victor Keene MBE added: “We have acquired the long lease of a site opposite Bond’s Hospital Almshouse, which will see 45 apartments built for the elderly.
“We have engaged Deeley Construction as the building contractor on this project and are very happy to be working with a company of Deeley’s integrity to complete it.”
It is the third development in the long-running plaza project, with the nearby multi-storey car park completed 12 years ago and the Belgrade Plaza development in 2008.
Lord Mayor of Coventry councillor John Blundell added: “There is a clear need for more accommodation of this type in our city centre and the development on Bond Street will help to cater for this need.
“Coventry Church (Municipal) Charities have done some excellent work in regenerating properties across the city, including the Bond’s Hospital, and providing homes for the elderly.”
