News: Housebuilder pulls out of proposed Rotherham development

Campaigners say that housebuilder, Avant, is no longer involved in a controversial 450 house development in Rotherham.

Rothbiz reported last year on a detailed planning application submitted by Avant and the landowner for arable fields that sit between existing housing and Sitwell golf course near to Whiston.

Landowners had worked together to submit an application having previously secured a residential allocation for the nearly 50 acre greenbelt site off Lathe Road / Worry Goose Lane through the development of the borough's Local Plan.

Applicants, AE Waddington, R Parkes & V Foers, worked with JVH Town Planning and agents, WYG, to secure outline planning approval despite over 300 letters of representation being received when it went before the planning board at Rotherham Council.

The 2024 planning application from Avant Homes Central for the site remains undetermined but now Whiston Residents Action Group (WRAG) has posted that things have changed.

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An update from the group on Facebook page reads: "WRAG took part in an online meeting at Jake Richards MP’s request, where we were given the news that Avant Homes no longer hold an interest in this land and will not be taking the development forward."

Letters to residents from the local MP have been sent out inviting them to a public meeting on November 24.

The reserved matters application detailed where the houses would go, the types of houses, and the location of things like attenuation basins and play areas.

With outline approval, the site may still be attractive to other housebuilders but this comes with a number of conditions, such as contributing to £225,000 for transport improvements plus a financial contribution to the proposed works at Worrygoose roundabout, £100k per annum for a period of three years for bus services, and 25% on site affordable housing provision.

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News: Housing plans for Rotherham garden centre site recommended for approval

A planning application for the residential redevelopment of a former Rotherham garden centre is being recommended for approval.

Rothbiz reported in 2020 that Fosters Garden Centre would close. The Foster family had been in business in Thrybergh for over a hundred years, growing to include a garden centre, antiques centre, machinery department, coffee shop and a cycle retail outlet.

The site was allocated for housing in the local plan (with the capacity for the capacity of 40 dwellings) and the plans from Avant Homes incorporates the erection of 25 dwellings with the conversion of the former agricultural buildings and listed building into an additional seven dwellings in a town house arrangement.

Including a mix of sizes and housing types, the plans were updated to provide a stronger road frontage.

Considered brownfield in nature, the garden centre was based around the cartshed, granary and stable of Chestnut Tree Farm which dates from 1816. These Grade II Listed buildings would be retained and sympathetically converted. A modern extension will be demolished and the converted buildings would have no private gardens with a central shared courtyard.

Other buildings, including the petrol station would be demolished and a new point of access will be developed directly off Doncaster Road. There would be an access road running through the site to the western corner allowing access into the allocated housing site (H26) to the southwest.

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Planning officers are recommending that the planning board at Rotherham Council approve the plans, subject to a number of conditions. This includes £68,000 to fund sustainable transport, new bus shelters and healthcare services.

The application has seen 17 letters of objection received, along with one in support. Comments relate to traffic, the proximity of new dwellings to neighbouring properties and the impact on the listed building. Residents are also concerned about the access created to a larger site allocated for housing.

Planners say that it "is welcomed that the proposals include the retention and conversion of the existing buildings on site.

"The existing plot consists of a large area of hardstanding and has a number of unattractive and increasingly derelict buildings on the site. The amended proposals for the residential re-development of this site would represent a significant visual improvement for the immediate site and to the setting of the Grade II Listed former Barn."

The planning report adds that: "In terms of traffic impact, the Highways Officer considers that the effect of the proposed development on the adjacent road network is not severe and as such, no mitigation is required."

Regarding any future development, the plans confirm that "the potential impact of development on the adjoining site is not material to this application."

The planning board is due to meet to discuss the plans on October 10.

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News: Details of new 450-home Rotherham development revealed

A detailed planning application for a controversial 450 house development in Rotherham has been submitted by housebuilder, Avant.

Rothbiz reported in 2019 that landowners had worked together to submit an application having previously secured a residential allocation for the nearly 50 acre greenbelt site off Lathe Road / Worry Goose Lane at Whiston through the development of the borough's Local Plan.

The site consists of two arable fields divided by a bank and hedgerow and sits between existing housing and Sitwell golf course.

Applicants, AE Waddington, R Parkes & V Foers, worked with JVH Town Planning and agents, WYG, to secure outline planning approval despite over 300 letters of representation being received when it went before the planning board at Rotherham Council.

Now a reserved matters application from Avant Homes Central (a good indication that they are the new owners of the site), details where the houses will go, the types of houses, and the location of things like attenuation basins and play areas.

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The plans show a mix of detached and semi-detached housing types, and 113 of the 450 are considered affordable. The mix of dwellings includes 109 1-bed, 13 2-bed, 156 3-bed, 92 4-bed and 80 5-bed.

Other submitted details relate to matters such as drainage, ecology, landscape, waste management and construction management.

The development will be accessed from the two new junctions formed off Worry Goose Lane.

Conditions attached to the outline approval should help with the multimillion pound improvements needed at the nearby Worrrygoose roundabout. Highway works only need be implemented before the occupation of the 111th dwelling and should include road widening, bus lanes and new crossings.

The plans also show that Avant plans to build out the development in five phases.

A second set of outline plans for over 200 houses on adjoining former greenbelt land also gained approval from Rotherham Council's planning board in 2023.

Avant operates across the Midlands, north of England and Scotland from nine regional operating businesses and is currently developing the nearby Brecks Lane Park scheme.

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News: Avant submits plans for Rotherham garden centre site

Avant Homes has submitted a planning application for the residential redevelopment of a Rotherham garden centre that closed three years ago.

Rothbiz reported in 2020 that Fosters Garden Centre would close and with the site remaining vacant, Avant Homes recently began consultation on proposals that would include up to 40 dwellings, including the conversion of the existing buildings to produce up to seven dwellings at Doncaster Road, Thrybergh.

The application shows proposals for the erection of 25 dwellings and the conversion of the existing listed building to provide a further seven dwellings.

The new properties will be a mix of 1-, 2-, 3-, and 4-bedroom dwellings. The properties will include short terraces, semi-detached and detached houses of 2 and 2.5-storeys in height. The plans add that: "The dwellings will have a mix of appearances to create interesting diversity and visual interest whilst tying in with the local character of Thrybergh."

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The garden centre was based around the cartshed, granary and stable of Chestnut Tree Farm which dates from 1816. These Grade II Listed buildings would be retained and sympathetically converted. Other buildings, including the petrol station would be demolished.

The plans include the retention and enhancement of views and vistas of the listed building and applicants say that overall, the development "would have a negligible impact on all Designated Heritage Assets within the site."

Being a brownfield site with plans to demolish buildings, applicants say that the additional associated costs that are encountered during the development reduce the requirement in affordable housing under the Vacant building credit (VBC) national policy. Three affordable properties are proposed.

Also included in the plans is a large area of green open space and the new vehicular access will create a new priority T-junction, with a right turn ghost island to the west of Doncaster Road.

The access and internal roads have been designed to accommodate future access to the adjacent site - a large field to the north of St Gerard's Catholic Primary School that was designated for residential use in the borough's local plan. Known as site H26, the 41 acre site has the capicity for 351 dwellings.

Avant Homes website

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News: Developer plants the seed for housing on Rotherham garden centre site

Avant Homes has announced proposals for the residential redevelopment of a Rotherham garden centre that closed three years ago.

Early plans explain how a Grade II listed building would be incorporated into the scheme for 40 new homes, and how a connected site has the potential for 351 further dwellings.

Rothbiz reported in 2020 that Fosters Garden Centre would close. The Foster family had been in business in Thrybergh for over a hundred years, growing to include a garden centre, antiques centre, machinery department, coffee shop and a cycle retail outlet.

With the site remaining vacant, Avant Homes is in the process of preparing a full planning application for the construction of up to 40 dwellings, including the conversion of the existing buildings to produce up to seven dwellings at Doncaster Road. 2, 3 and 4 bedroom terraced, semi-detached and detached homes are mentioned.

Considered brownfield in nature, the site comprises buildings from the former garden centre, a large area of hard standing and a former petrol filling station.

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The garden centre was based around the cartshed, granary and stable of Chestnut Tree Farm which dates from 1816. These Grade II Listed buildings would be retained and sympathetically converted. Other buildings, including the petrol station would be demolished and a new point of access will be developed directly off Doncaster Road.

It is expected that up to 30 high quality energy efficient new homes will be included in the plans, 25% of which will be affordable homes of a variety of tenures to meet identified local housing needs.

Avant said in its consultation documents: "Our aim is to create a development which is designed to be sympathetic to the existing locality and the Listed Buildings whilst enhancing the existing character of the surroundings through creating contextual design features and using high quality materials.

"The site offers the opportunity to deliver a design-led residential development on vacant brownfield land that is in a highly sustainable location of Rotherham."

The community consultation also hints at the future for the wider area where a large field to the north of St Gerard's Catholic Primary School was designated for residential use in the borough's local plan. Known as site H26, the 41 acre site has the capicity for 351 dwellings.

The documents add: "As part of our planning application, we will produce a masterplan to show how our development will not prejudice the development of H26 and how the two sites can be integrated together to form a sustainable and interconnected scheme."

The consultation runs until June 26 before a planning application is submitted.

Avant Homes website

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News: Another 450 houses at Waverley

Further details have been revealed for the next large phase of residential development at the Waverley regeneration scheme in Rotherham.

Rothbiz reported in July last year that Harworth Group plc had secured a residential land parcel sale at its Waverley site to Barratt and David Wilson Homes for £29m.

Now a detailed planning application has been submitted for the 28 acre waterside area adjacent to both Highwall Park and the Waverley Lake, benefitting from unique water frontage in an area of the development known as Waverley Waterfront.

Barratt and David Wilson Homes’ fifth phase includes 456 dwellings with a mix of 1, 2, 3 and 4 bedroom properties which will range from apartments, to terraced, semi-detached and detached dwellings. Of these dwellings 149 will be for affordable which equates to a provision of 33%.

Plans show that the proposals for the waterfront area have been revised to provide an increased amount of non-residential uses. The previous block with a cafe use indicatively shown at ground floor has been revised to provide non residential uses over three blocks (with residential above) which could be smaller or larger units depending on demand.

The site falls within Flood Zone 1 (the lowest level of flood risk) and the waterfront residential elevations have been re-designed and are bespoke and fitting to the Lakeside setting.

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The plans, drawn up by JRP planning consultants, state: "The proposed development will deliver much needed new housing to a sustainable location. This will make a positive contribution towards the local housing objectives in respect of housing needs and demand. The application site will create a sustainable, high quality and accessible housing development. It will provide significant social and economic benefits to Waverley and Rotherham, with the supporting documentation demonstrating that potential adverse impacts can be satisfactorily mitigated."

Responses to the reserved matters planning application show local residents of the estate calling for work to begin on the medical facilities and retail development at Olive Lane before more houses are built.

The Waverley New Community has outline consent of 3,890 dwellings. Avant Homes is set to deliver a further 173 homes having secured planning permission for a £49m second phase development.

Called Sorby Park at Waverley, the new phase will comprise a mix of two, three and four-bedroom homes and feature 20 of Avant Homes' design-led housetypes.

Avant Homes Yorkshire managing director, Alastair Hart, said: "We've had sustained success at the Waverley regeneration scheme over the past five years by delivering more than 400 homes across three developments.

"Demand for new build housing in the area remains high and we look forward to continuing to contribute to the regeneration of this brownfield site with our new phase of Sorby Park."

Barratt Homes website
David Wilson Homes website
Avant Homes website

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News: Plans approved for large scale housing developments in Rotherham

Three separate housing developments have been approved by Rotherham Council. Between them, 462 new houses are proposed in total for the south of the borough.

At Dinnington, Barratt Homes has secured approval for a development of 151 new dwellings on land at Lodge Lane.

The Former Dinnington Miners’ Welfare Recreation Ground site is currently unmanaged grassland with a disused multi-use hardcourt and overgrown abandoned mini-golf course. The site was abandoned around ten years ago and the buildings have been demolished and the remaining play facilities are derelict and overgrown.

Renamed Thornberry Gardens by the developer, the site is approximately 12 acres in size and is part of a wider 16 acre housing allocation in Rotherham's adopted Local Plan.

The primary access would be from Lodge Lane, close to Dinnington RUFC, and the plans include two, three, four-bedroom houses.

The planning board at Rotherham Council voted to approve the plans and they were referred to the Secratary of State who has decided not to intervene in the decision. Objectors where unhappy with the loss of the Miners’ Welfare Recreation Ground.

A number of conditions were attached to the approval, including money to improve local sports facilities such as those at Dinnington rugby club.

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At Waverley, Yorkshire's largest brownfield regeneration scheme, Avant has secured planning permission with a reserved matters application for the erection of 173 houses on land at Phase 3B Riverside, off Poplar Way/Orgreave Road.

Heading to the riverside area, there is a proposed mixture of 2, 3, 4 & 5 bedroom units in houses and two apartment blocks which are mixture of 2 & 3 storeys in height. The scheme provides 30 affordable homes.

Recommended reading: Is House Flipping the Right Business for You?

A 12.6-acre plot was sold to Avant Homes by Waverley developers, Harworth Group, earlier this year. Avant has now acquired four plots at Waverley - Sorby Row, Sorby Village and Sorby Park.

Also at Waverley, outline permission for up to 138 houses with all matters reserved has been secured for a plot of land at Mitchell Way. Harworth Group is looking to bring forward a mixed-use scheme in this area around the proposed the Olive Lane scheme. The regeneration specialist is also bidding to the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority's brownfield housing fund to support its aims.

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Avant website
Harworth Group website

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News: Planning granted for 70-home development in Rotherham

Avant Homes is set to bring 70 homes to Rotherham, after planning permission was granted by Rotherham Council for a new £20.7m development.

Named Brecks Lane Park, the 7.25-acre site is situated in Brecks. The development will feature a selection of three and four-bedroom homes across eight of Avant's most popular house designs.

Of the 70 new-build homes, 25% have been designated to affordable housing with Avant Homes also committing to a community contribution of more than £220,000 towards local education and transport, including bus services and sustainable travel.

Work is set to commence on the development in September, with the showhome expected to open at the end of March next year. The first homes are due to be ready for occupation in spring 2023. Overall, the development is expected to take two years to complete and will create hundreds of jobs.

Reserved matters were recently approved by the planning board at Rotherham Council. 40 objections were received and outline permission for housing on the agricultural land was approved in 2019. The recent approval includes an education contribution.

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Avant Homes Yorkshire managing director, Alastair Hart, said: "We're very pleased that planning permission has been granted to deliver Brecks Lane Park, allowing us to bring 70 high-quality homes to Rotherham."

Avant Homes' acquisition of Rotherham's Brecks Lane extends the housebuilder's existing presence in the town following years of success during the regeneration of Waverley, also in Rotherham.

Previously, the housebuilder has acquired six parcels of land at Waverley delivering almost 400 homes including its current Sorby Park development, which is set to deliver 144 homes.

Alastair added: "Rotherham is a thriving town and as we've seen with our previous developments in Waverley, there is a real demand for attainable, design-led homes for modern family living. We're excited to move forward with our plans on Brecks Lane with work set to start in in September."

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News: Developer reserves land for new Rotherham Marriott

Harworth Group plc, a leading regenerator of land and property for sustainable development and investment, has announced the sale of two land parcels at its Waverley development site in Rotherham.

A 12.6-acre plot has been sold to Avant Homes for the delivery of 172 new residential units, and a 2.7-acre plot has been bought by Stapleford Ventures for the development of a 4- star 150- bedroom Marriott hotel.

Rothbiz reported in December that Essex-based developer, Stapleford Ventures Ltd, had secured planning permission for a six storey, 150 bedroom hotel on land off Highfield Spring and Poplar Way where the Waverley development meets the Morrisons roundabout at Catcliffe.

The proposed hotel will operate under Marriott’s "Courtyard" brand and also include a restaurant and gym facilities for guests. The hotel will occupy a prominent position at the entrance roundabout to the Waverley development, and will provide an important community asset for use by residents and businesses at the adjacent Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP).

The sale to Avant Homes represents the housebuilder’s fourth acquisition at Waverley, and the land parcel is adjacent to one purchased by the housebuilder in 2020 for the delivery of 144 homes. The new homes will be situated between the River Rother and Highwall Park, in an area of the development known as ‘Waverley Riverside’. The construction will follow a bespoke design code that complements the existing Waverley development while maximising the amenity value of its riverside location.

As part of the construction, Harworth will provide a new perimeter cycle and bridleway path adjacent to the river, and will begin work on the first phase of Highwall Park, a planned 1.5km linear park running through the heart of the Waverley site, connecting the AMP to the Waverley lakes. To minimise environmental impact, development platforms will be created from reused materials from elsewhere on site, and topsoil will be imported from Harworth’s nearby Micklefields development.

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Waverley is Yorkshire’s largest brownfield redevelopment, where Harworth Group plc secured outline planning consent for 3,890 homes and 2 million sq ft of commercial space, alongside 310-acres of green open space. To date, land has been sold for over 1,875 homes, and 1.5 million sq. ft of space has been delivered at the AMP. Harworth is currently awaiting the outcome of a planning application for Olive Lane, a new heart of the community for Waverley, where proposals include a supermarket, restaurants and cafes, a medical centre and offices, alongside additional residential development.

Andrew Blackshaw, Chief Operating Officer, Harworth Group plc, said: “One of Harworth’s key strategic objectives is accelerating sales of its residential products. Waverley is a prime example of how we will achieve this. The scale and pace of transformation at Waverley demonstrates Harworth’s unique skill set in regenerating former brownfield sites into inspiring places where people want to live and work.”

Ed Catchpole, Associate Director for Yorkshire & Central, Harworth Group plc, added: “Avant Homes is a trusted and long-standing partner of Harworth, and we are delighted to be working together again as we develop out Waverley Riverside. These new homes, combined with infrastructure improvements and the exciting development of a Marriott hotel at the site, will enhance amenities for local residents and employees, which will be further complemented by our Olive Lane development in the years ahead.”

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News: Plans in for large Rotherham housing developments

A number of seperate planning applications have been submitted for hundreds of new houses across Rotherham.

At Dinnington, Barratt Homes is hoping to secure approval for a development of 151 new dwellings on land at Lodge Lane.

The Former Dinnington Miners’ Welfare Recreation Ground site is currently unmanaged grassland with a disused multi-use hardcourt and overgrown abandoned mini-golf course. The site was abandoned around ten years ago and the buildings have been demolished and the remaining play facilities are derelict and overgrown.

It is approximately 12 acres in size and is part of a wider 16 acre housing allocation in Rotherham's adopted Local Plan.

The primary access would be from Lodge Lane, close to Dinnington RUFC, and the plans include two, three, four-bedroom houses.

At Swallownest, Bellway Homes has submitted an application for 99 new homes at Park Hill.

The proposals for farmland to the east of Park Hill Farm include the erection of 99 dwellings, including 17 affordable dwellings, the creation of a new access road, and landscaping/open space works. The sole vehicular access into the site will be taken from Park Hill adjacent to the entrance of Park Hill Farm.

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At Waverley, Avant has acquired 12.94 acres of land from Harworth Group where it intends to build 144 new family homes, representing its third land purchase at Harworth's flagship development. The transaction takes the total number of residential plots sold at Waverley to over 1,700 since 2012, further demonstrating the significant contribution that Harworth is making to Sheffield City Region’s housing market.

Also at Waverley, plans for Sky-House phase 2 have been approved.

An ambitious campaign funded by Homes England's Home Building Fund, the project is based around the already hugely acclaimed back-to-back housing model created by the architects at Sheffield's CODA Studios.

David Cross, chairman of CODA, said: "This new phase, which should go to site in the new year, will feature four four-bedroom town houses and, most excitingly, 40 of the next generation of the Sky-House, all built around a steel frame structure to aid the speed of construction and enhance the project’s already outstanding environmental credentials."

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News: Avant Homes building on success at Waverley

Yorkshire homebuilder Avant Homes is on course to secure planning approval for a 220 house scheme at Waverley in Rotherham.

Avant exchanged contracts with owners Harworth Group plc for a 14.06-acre site and submitted a planning application to build a mix of 220 three and four-bedroom properties, alongside the 61 family homes that are currently under construction at its Sorby Row development.

They are part of four new sites with a combined value of £101m that will bring a total of 382 homes to the Sheffield city region once completed.

Rob Slocombe, managing director at Avant Homes Yorkshire (pictured, right), said: "We are on a fast-moving upwards trajectory and the south of the region is a key focus for us. The last 12 months have seen high demand for our product here and the decision to purchase further land at Waverley demonstrates our dedication to investing in Sheffield, Rotherham and beyond.

"We are entirely committed to offering a product that meets the ever-changing needs of our customers' and this development will give buyers the opportunity to purchase a high-specification new home quite unlike those offered by our competitors.

"Keen interest is already being shown in the proposed scheme and we are taking enquiries in readiness for the launch of the new development."

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Land owner and developer, Harworth Group plc, secured planning permission for Yorkshire's largest brownfield redevelopment, which includes a new community of up to 3,890 homes.

Duncan Armstrong-Payne, associate director of major projects at Harworth (pictured, left), said: "Avant's decision to further invest in Waverley is yet more evidence of the development going from strength to strength. I've been delighted by the quality of homes that Avant has delivered at Sorby Row and I look forward to their next phase of housebuilding in 2018."

At the next meeting of the planning board at Rotherham Council, members are being recommended to approve Avant's latest plans for Waverley.

Located to the north and east of previous phases of development by Harron and Barratt Homes which are nearing completion, the application seeks permission for 220 residential units consisting of a mixture of two bedroom apartments three, four and five bedroom dwellings which are two and three storeys in height.

17.7% affordable housing is to be provided which equates to 39 units - 18 of the two bed apartments and 21 three bed dwellings.

A number of objections from residents focus on the size and location of the apartments, car parking and open space. A report to the planning board concludes: "It is considered that the layout and design of the proposed development offers an acceptable balance between achieving an efficient use of the land available whilst safeguarding a satisfactory provision of individual private amenity space for each dwelling."

Avant, the housebuilder formerly known as Gladedale Group, posted both record revenue and operating profit numbers for the financial year to April 30 2017. Revenues increased 45% year-on-year to £369m, whilst operating profits rose 107% to £45m.

Avant website
Harworth Group website



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News: £11m Waverley land deals

Regional housebuilders have signed up to buy 13.87 acres for the next phase of residential development at the Waverley development in Rotherham.

The site is Yorkshire's largest brownfield redevelopment, with owner and developer, Harworth Group plc delivering a new community of 3,890 homes.

The deals, worth a total of £11m, are with Avant Homes and a new company, Sky House. Harworth said that the price reflects an increasing average price per acre realised at Waverley.

Avant, the housebuilder formerly known as Gladedale Group, will build 220 three and four bedroom family homes on 12.81 net acres of land it has purchased. The deal follows its acquisition in February of 4.7 net acres where the housebuilder is already constructing 61 three and four bedroom homes, reflecting the strong demand for this type of product at the development.

Contracts have also been exchanged with Sky House Company (Waverley) Limited, for 1.06 net acres of land. Sky House, a fast-growing "compact" urban housebuilder based in Sheffield, will be developing Waverley's first starter homes aimed at first time buyers, comprising 40 two-bedroom units and four, four-bedroom family homes. Recently receiving planning permission, it will be employing its unique Sky-House concept - a re-imagining of Victorian "back-to-back" terraced homes for modern day living (pictured).

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700 homes have been built to date on the site of what was the Orgreave coking works, alongside 1m sq ft of employment space at the Advanced Manufacturing Park. The deals with Avant and Sky House follow the residential land sale of 8.17 net acres to national housebuilder Taylor Wimpey, for the delivery of 130 new homes, in June 2017.

Owen Michaelson, chief executive of Harworth, said: "These transactions provide further evidence of the momentum at Waverley, which is seeing it mature into one of the North of England’s most desirable mixed-use developments.

"Avant Homes' decision to purchase a second land parcel from us at Waverley proves both the strength of Waverley as a location, their confidence in our ability to deliver sites ready for development and the popularity of their product locally. In addition, Sky House's decision to develop innovative starter properties marks an exciting new phase that will add further vibrancy and density to Waverley, whilst also reflecting our desire for the development to offer a broad range of home types aimed at different parts of the market.

"Both deals also demonstrate the underlying strength of the residential market in the North of England, driven by comparatively low prices and a continued lack of housing land supply to meet the needs of a growing population. Harworth is uniquely placed to benefit from this, leveraging our market-leading masterplanning expertise."

As part of creating a new community at Waverley, a joint venture between Harworth Group plc and Dransfield Properties Ltd received planning consent for a new local centre that will deliver over 190,000 sq ft of mixed-use space that includes up to 99,000 sq ft for a new foodstore and retail space, alongside office space covering 38,000 sq ft.

Harworth, the AIM-listed firm which is based close to the Waverley site, was created in the complex restructuring of UK Coal. It specialises in brownfield regeneration and property investment and last month secured planning permission for a major mixed-use redevelopment of the former Thoresby Colliery in Nottinghamshire providing up to 800 new homes and 250,000 sq ft of employment space.

Harworth Group website

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News: New housebuilder ensures progress at Waverley

Avant Homes has signed up to build a further 61 homes, the company's first, at the Waverley development in Rotherham.

Landowner and developer, Harworth Group plc has sold the eighth phase of engineered housing land at Waverley – totalling 4.7 acres – to Avant Homes in a deal worth £2.5m.

Avant Homes, the housebuilder formerly known as Gladedale Group, becomes the fourth housebuilder at Waverley, following on from the homes built by Barratt Homes, Taylor Wimpey and Harron Homes. Over 600 homes have been built over the past four years on the site which is Yorkshire's largest-ever brownfield redevelopment, with Harworth delivering a new community of 3,890 homes.

Plot HC5 was initially coming forward with Harron Homes as the housebuilder but new plans have been submitted for a range of dwellings on land formerley known as Highfield Commercial close to Marston's Winter Green pub. The development is to be known as Sorby Row.

Owen Michaelson, chief executive officer of Harworth Group plc, said: "We are delighted to welcome Avant to Waverley. Avant have a proven track record of delivering high-quality homes elsewhere in our portfolio and increasing the number of points of sale at the development matures the site – delivering further value and diversifying risk."

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Waverley is also home to the world-renowned Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) where Harworth expects to reach practical completion on a number of directly developed units totalling 52,000 sq ft at the end of March.

Following on from the success of the two previous phases which are all now fully let, Harworth intends to hold and lease the new space to growing advanced manufacturing firms.

Built by JF Finnegan ans comprising five units within two terraces, these will be practically complete at the end of this month and will provide modern industrial space in a market with only a limited supply of available stock.

This follows recent announcements from McLaren and Boeing to create new facilities close to the University of Sheffield's Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre within the Sheffield-Rotherham Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District.

Michaelson added: "These announcements underpin Waverley's credentials as one of the North of England's most successful and important brownfield redevelopments, which forms the cornerstone of the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District.

"Nearing practical completion of speculative units at the AMP also underpins our confidence in the site as a key advanced manufacturing hub for the UK, and we look forward to welcoming new tenants into these units once complete."

Detailed plans are also close to being submitted for the £50m retail, office and leisure development at the heart of Waverley. Here Harworth has teamed up with Dransfield Properties, the Barnsley-based company that specialises in retail led regeneration scheme.

Harworth Group plc website

Images: Avant Homes

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