Former Pick and Shovel – affordable home development

Royal Oak Court affordable housing

Formerly a lively pub, the Pick and Shovel stood empty for more than ten years, with various attempts to redevelop the site failing. 

In July 2014, the council approached emh group with a proposal to build affordable housing on the site and the promise to match fund the work (£500,000), subject to a successful funding bid to the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA). 

This offer was accepted by emh group, and the HCA bid for £420,000 was successful. 

The group completed the purchase of the site and received planning permission in February 2015. 

The £2.2 million development saw the old building demolished, and 14 one-bedroom apartments built in its place, creating a landmark building at the key crossroads in Coalville and providing much needed affordable housing. 

Demolition and construction work was carried out by Lindum. 

The apartments, which were officially opened in March 2016, are owned and managed by emh homes, the landlord arm of the group. 

The Pick and Shovel project follows the flagship redevelopment of the Minnesotas site on one of the main routes into the town in 2013 where emh group delivered 27 new homes for rent and shared ownership sale, with match funding from the council.