News: Construction starts on new Rotherham council houses

Work is progressing on the six new council housing build sites in Rotherham, the first for over 25 years.

In total there will be 127 units developed for the authority on six sites across the Borough after the £8.5m of grant funding the council secured from the Homes and Communities Agency escaped the cuts.

29 houses and apartments are set to be built by Wates Living Space at the Rother View Road, Canklow.

Wildgoose Construction are building 29 houses, apartments and bungalows on Albert Road, West Melton and 21 houses on Albany Road, Kilnhurst.

Eight houses and bungalows are to be built at Newland Avenue, Maltby, by Bramalls, while four apartments are to be built at Stone Park Close in Maltby by TH Michaels.

George Hurst and Sons Ltd began work last month on 36 houses and apartments at Wood Street, Thrybergh.

Work on all the sites will start before September with all properties being built to Lifetime Homes and Building for Life silver standards in addition to achieving Level 4 of the Code for Sustainable Homes.

These standards are above and beyond the typical open-market house building standards and will ensure a high-quality build, a safe environment and incorporate high energy efficiency measures, making them affordable for council tenants to live in.

The Council has also ensured that its commitment to local labour has resulted in apprentices and work experience students working on the sites. As part of the YORbuild framework - under which the contractors have been appointed - two apprentices and three placements from Thrybergh Comprehensive School will be working on Wood Street site.

Cllr Jahangir Akhtar, Cabinet Member for Housing and Neighbourhoods for the Council, said: "After waiting for so many years to be able to build new council housing, to see these developments physically taking shape is fantastic.

"It's also great to see local labour being used on the constructions and the future of the borough being supported with both apprentices student placements getting the sort of training and expertise that will help to set them up for life."

Joanne Jamieson, Business Unit Director for Wates Living Space in Yorkshire , said: "We're really pleased to be involved in delivering these long-awaited new homes for Rotherham.

"We look forward to working in partnership with the Council not only to build houses but to bring community benefits and investment for local people and businesses."

Rotherham Council website

Images: wates.co.uk