Providing homes for single people given priority in Telford

Councillors have told officials to put a laser focus on finding innovative new ways of providing homes for single people in Telford and Wrekin.

A behind the scenes working group is looking into what other councils are doing to provide housing by maybe using garage conversions, micro and modular builds, pods and other ‘compact’ dwellings.

Councillor Nathan England (Labour, The Nedge) told a meeting that there is a need for single occupancy homes in the borough.

Councillor England chairs the council's business and finance scrutiny committee which has this week been asked to inform council officers what they want to look into next.

Councillor Giles Luter (Labour, Ercall) said: "There is a need for single occupancy dwellings it might be rude not to focus on that element of it."

Councillors have already seen what some other councils are doing in their areas.

And councillor Rachael Tyrrell (Conservative, Priorslee) agreed that the "data do seem to show we're short of single occupancy homes."

Councillors discussed the costs of such schemes and how they can make them viable.

Councillor England said: "This council has a track record of making unviable sites viable."

The committee is working towards receiving a report outlining the findings later this year.