Rotherham

Plans to build more affordable homes, some of which could be brought on site ready-made, are set to be looked at by Rotherham Council.

The Council is looking to build around 12 bungalows for older people through a pilot to test alternative modern construction methods.

This could include elements of off-site construction, ranging from buildings being erected from factory made frames, panels or sections to whole buildings being lowered onto site.

The brief will be left open with a view to getting the widest possible range of options to consider from manufacturing and building companies.

Council leaders are also looking at plans to sell some small sites to local developers to enable the building of a further 22 affordable homes in key areas across the borough. Together this will create 34 new affordable homes to be allocated through the Council housing process, supporting the Sheffield City Region (SCR) approach to using surplus public sector land.

Cllr Dominic Beck, Rotherham Council’s Cabinet Member for Housing, said: “The housing industry is recognising the potential offsite manufacturing holds for the housing market. As a modern and efficient council we want to ensure we look at all possible options to deliver inspiring, energy-efficient homes for families across the borough. Our mission is to build better homes and build them in a better way.

“We also want to ensure there are enough affordable homes so families can stay in the borough or to entice new people to move to Rotherham.”

The funding for the pilot modern construction homes is expected to come from the Council Housing Revenue Account (HRA) and an application has been made to Sheffield City Region’s pilot Housing Fund £500K of grant funding. This is currently being assessed with a view to seeking approval from the Sheffield City Region’s Housing Investment Board later this summer.

Colin Blackburn, SCR Assistant Director for Housing Infrastructure and Planning, added: “There is a national housing shortage across the UK, including here in Sheffield City Region. We welcome the local authority’s approach to delivering additional new homes through innovative and efficient ways of building, which will provide high quality, desirable properties in local communities at affordable prices.”

It is anticipated that employment opportunities will be created through the scheme, as the construction of offsite homes and delivery on-site offers the chance for a variety of new roles within the construction sector.

The plans are to be looked at by Rotherham Council’s Cabinet at its meeting in July.

Council commits over £40 million to deliver new homes for Rotherham

Published on Wednesday, 21st March 2018 in Business and investment news

Work has started on a major new build programme to develop over 300 high quality homes in Rotherham.

Rotherham Council will be spending £50 million over the next three years to build homes that meet the needs of residents and over half of the total will be council houses.  

The Council’s partnership approach, which includes £6.81m of grant money from central government will help support its ambitious expansion plans to increase the number of homes available in the borough to rent, part-own or buy. 
The funding for these new affordable quality homes will act as a gateway to a variety of tenures; 167 council rented homes, some of which will be specially designed for particular needs such as disabled people and foster carers, 86 homes for low cost home ownership – “shared ownership” and 83 homes for outright sale.

Rotherham’s Cabinet Member for Housing, Councillor Dominic Beck said: “We are passionate about building more homes in the Rotherham as part of our ambitious plans to transform the borough, making it a destination where more people want to live, work, thrive and spend their leisure time. 
 “I am delighted that the construction of 336 homes is already underway and that a range of needs will be met, particularly older people through the 20 bungalows and 15 apartments being built, and homes for first time buyers – both concerns expressed by our residents when consulted on housing priorities.”

The new homes will be delivered under the new Rother Living brand, which reflects the Council’s commitment to providing homes of good quality and design. 

WATES Residential Ltd, one of the Council’s main construction partners , have already started on the innovative ‘Site Clusters’ programme which will see 217 homes built across  seven sites in Maltby, Canklow, East Herringthorpe and Dinnington.

A further 58 new homes on the Bellows Road site in Rawmarsh will be built by the Houlton Construction company and O&P construction have already begun work, including work on specialist bungalows and older people bungalows, on various smaller sites around the borough.

Further schemes will be added to the housing building programme as the Council continues with its Masterplan for Rotherham town centre.  The schemes will also bring with them employment and training opportunities for people in the borough.

For further information on the housing developments and to register interest in the schemes visit the website.

A major housing development that is set to boost the number of council homes and reenergise several areas across the borough has begun with an official sod cutting event on site.

As part of the £29million development, Rotherham Council has appointed Wates Residential to develop 217 new homes, 98 of which will be council rented homes and five will be adapted for adults with learning disabilities and young vulnerable people. The scheme also includes properties for sale, shared ownership and rent to buy and will be built across seven sites in Maltby, Canklow, East Herringthorpe and Dinnington.

The development is the first of its kind in Rotherham and underpins the Council’s commitment to improve the quality and choice of housing for people who live in the borough and attract people who are thinking about relocating.

The first phase of construction work will begin on Braithwell Road in Maltby to provide 83 properties for sale. The first of these homes are expected to be ready in Spring 2019. Phase one of this construction programme will also see development start on Conway Crescent and Farnworth Road, East Herringthorpe and Gaitskell Close, Maltby. Following this, phases two and three will commence in Dinnington and Canklow in 2018 with an expected completion for all 217 homes in 2020.

Help for struggling first time buyers is a top priority for the Council and 36 new shared ownership and rent to buy homes will be provided for people who want to own a home but can’t afford to buy in the standard way.

Throughout the development work, Wates has committed to delivering a variety of training and employment opportunities for local people. As part of its preparatory works, Wates has engaged local suppliers and sub-contractors to ensure that the council’s investment provides a boost for the local economy.

Rotherham Council’s Cabinet Member for Housing, Councillor Dominic Beck, said: “Rotherham is one of the largest stock holding authorities in the country and one fifth of our residents live in social housing. Making sure these residents have access to affordable and warm homes, and those that are adapted to meet their needs, is vital. The 98 new Council homes will help us to deliver the high quality housing that we need.

“We also have ambitious growth plans to regenerate the borough and make it a place where more people want to live, work and spend their leisure time. This development with Wates Residential is a huge step forward for the Council and we are delighted to see work getting underway and our vision becoming reality.”

Jo Jamieson, Managing Director of Wates Residential North, said: “We have been working closely with Rotherham Council to ensure that our partnership helps to meet the borough’s diverse housing needs. The strategy now being implemented will support vulnerable members of the community while also providing an affordable foot on the ladder for first time buyers.

“Today’s sod cutting ceremony is symbolic of the progress being made on this ambitious investment programme. Our team starting on site is a huge step forward for the creation of the new homes, as well as for the long-term benefits the local community will feel as a result of this new development.”

Rotherham Council and its RSL partners have released their proposed 'New Build' programme for 2018 and beyond. The document will be updated with release dates for future developments and any new projects that come on stream. Properties will be advertised through the 'Key Choices' scheme shortly before each completion date.

New Build Schedule