The £1.4 million pound refurbishment of a former care home to create 14 new council homes is nearing completion.

Work to convert and refurbish the former Arcal Lodge care home in Sedgley to the newly named Arcal Lodge Mews began in earnest last summer, when Dudley Council appointed building contractor, United Living.

United Living has undertaken an intensive programme of part demolition, alteration, conversion and full refurbishment to create the new development of eight bungalows and three two bedroom and three one bedroom apartments. 

The completed scheme has been handed over to the council and residents are set to move in. Councillor Gaye Partridge, cabinet member for housing, said:

"Converting and refurbishing existing buildings is a good way to provide housing which has all the features of a new build yet is in keeping with the local area.  As a council we have committed to providing affordable rented properties and this is another example of us making good our word."

The scheme has been funded through a £245,000 grant from the government’s Homes and Communities Agency, with the remaining funds coming from the council’s Housing Revenue Account and Right to Buy receipts.

This scheme is one of many that the council is looking to develop as part of the five year plan that it launched in 2014 to invest £40million to create new council homes.