News: Rotherham housing development completes

The final phase of Rotherham Council’s site cluster housing programme has now completed as Wates Construction hand over the keys to 80 new homes on Rother View Road, Canklow.

The site cluster approach to housing development was the result of over £30m invested by Rotherham Council to construct new properties across the borough. The Council partnered with Wates Construction to carry out several clusters of developments on unused land. A total of 217 properties for affordable rent and sale have been created on Braithwell Road and Gaitskell Close (Maltby), Conway Crescent and Farnworth Road (East Herringthorpe), Shakespeare Drive (Dinnington), and finally two sites on Rother View Road (Canklow).

Rotherham Council's Cabinet Member for Housing, Councillor Dominic Beck, said: “Our site clusters programme has been a key part of our plan to ensure more people in the borough get the high quality homes that they need, at a price they can afford, and at the same time has brought back to life a number of sites that had been almost abandoned for years. From council homes to shared ownership, to straightforward properties for general sale, to specially built homes meeting the needs of older people and those with disabilities, this scheme has set the standard for the kinds of communities we want to see in the future.”

“We’re committed to releasing unused Council-owned sites for residential development, which is part of our 30-year vision for housing. Our housing growth plan has identified 200 potential small sites for new housing and we’re currently seeking developers to partner with us to create new homes for local people on these sites.”

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David Wingfield, business unit director for Wates Construction in Yorkshire and the North East, said: “Remediating and regenerating underused land is a key way we can help solve the shortfall in new housing across the UK, and it’s been a pleasure to partner with Rotherham Council over the past four years to build this varied mix of homes. By working collaboratively, thinking carefully about design and the long-term sustainability of these houses, we’ve been able to support the council in delivering its innovative vision that will meet so many people’s needs.”

Rotherham’s current housing growth plan has an emphasis on housing growth and regeneration of the town centre, as well as homes for good health and independence. Developments currently in progress include three exciting town-centre developments (Westgate Riverside, Millfold Rise and Wellgate Place) which will create 171 new homes. Completing in 2022, these developments will consist of properties for affordable outright sale, shared ownership and council housing.

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News: Extra cash for innovative Rotherham housing scheme

Rotherham Council needs another £5m to deliver over 200 new houses on a cluster of sites it owns.

The authority is bringing forward some of its "more challenging" sites using a innovative development model. Wates Group, one of the largest privately-owned construction, development and property services companies in the UK, successfully secured a multi million pound tender and is acting as the Council's development partner to proceed with sites in Maltby, Canklow, East Herringthorpe and Dinnington.

The first houses under the "Rother Living" brand are at Northgate in Maltby.

With original overall developments costs of £29m, this week, Rotherham Council's cabinet approved an increase in the budget to enable all 217 homes to be built.

A report stated: "At the point of reporting to Cabinet in 2017, the total scheme cost could only be estimated. The sites are extremely challenging and extensive ground remediation work has been necessary to make them developable. Other unforeseeable costs have arisen from utilities diversions and an industry-wide increase in the cost of materials and labour."

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Cllr. Dominic Beck, cabinet member for housing at Rotherham Council, explained: "We are asking approval for an additional net cost to the HRA [Housing Revenue Account] budget of £4.99m to deliver our site clusters programme that was formerly approved by Cabinet in October 2017.

"We were very clear that some of the costs associated with the scheme were based on estimated costs and now we are in a position were we know that little bit more about how much it is actually going to cost the council to deliver those 217 homes across those seven sites.

"We are also clear as well that we want to renegotiate the contract with Wates to a fixed maximum price."

Discounted options included reducing the overall number of homes being built, and progressing without a guaranteed maximum price.

Cllr. Brian Steele, chair of the scrutiny committee at Rotherham Council discussed the rising costs and it was recommended that officers share learning from the contracting on this project to ensure that large scale projects undertaken are well managed and controlled.

Rotherham Council has set itself a target of delivering 109 homes during the year via direct Council intervention and is on track to do so.

This scheme uses a new delivery route for the Council and creates the opportunity for it to maximise the value of its assets and deliver a greater number of high quality new homes, as opposed to simply selling the individual sites on the open market.

Houses sold will lead to sales revenue provided directly to the local authority (excluding a developer's margin) to cross subsidise the development. The Council will also receive the majority share of any developer's profit on the schemes, through retaining the development value of the land.

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News: Meet the buyers on £300m frameworks

A meet the buyer event is taking place in Rotherham this week and is aimed at sub-contractors and suppliers looking for opportunities on the Yorkshire framework projects that are worth £300m each year.

Taking place at Rotherham United's AESSEAL New York Stadium, main building and civil engineering contractors appointed to the YORbuild2 and YORcivil2 frameworks will attend the event which is intended to promote and support supply chain engagement which is a key theme of the YORhub frameworks.

The event is scheduled for Friday morning, October 26 at 9:30am - 12.

The YORhub suite of construction frameworks have grown in popularity since the YORbuild framework was launched in 2009, and now comprises three frameworks - YORbuild2, YORcivil2 and YORconsult2 - which is due to be launched later this year.

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The frameworks have been established by five Yorkshire and Humber local authorities and are used by local authorities and other public sector organisations including universities, blue light organisations and the health sector.

One example from the Yorbuild2 framework is the successfully completed £10.5m University Centre Rotherham that was delivered by Willmott Dixon.

36 tier 1 members have been confirmed for the event this week including Wates Group, which successfully secured a multi million pound tender as part of Rotherham Council's £29m scheme to build high quality and affordable homes.

The Supply Chain Engagement Programme is for any business interested in supplying construction services or goods to the framework - contractors, including subcontractors and materials suppliers, consultants and other construction service providers.

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News: First houses under "Rother Living" brand

The first Rother Living show homes are open on site in Maltby - part of a £29m scheme to build high quality and affordable homes in Rotherham.

The Northgate development at Braithwell Road is providing 83 properties for sale and 15 shared ownership apartments for older people.

It is part of a project that sees Rotherham Council bringing forward some of its "more challenging" sites using a innovative development model. Wates successfully secured a multi million pound tender and will act as the Council's development partner.

Cllr. Dominic Beck, Cabinet Member for Housing at Rotherham Council, said: "It's fantastic that people will now be able to get a real feel of what these new properties will be like with the opening of the Rother Living show homes at Northgate.

"We want ensure that local people and those people from outside the borough have access to high quality affordable homes.

"Seeing the Northgate development take shape is an exciting step forward and forms part of the Council's plans to regenerate the borough making it a place where people want to live, work and spend their leisure time."

Richard Shroll, managing director of Wates Residential North, said: "The opening of the new show homes in Maltby is a fantastic milestone that demonstrates the excellent progress being made through our partnership with Rotherham Council to deliver these exceptional new homes.

"There is a growing local appetite for high quality affordable homes, and I have no doubt that Northgate will go some way to catering for this. We are very much looking forward to building on the success and continuing our role in the regeneration of Rotherham."

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William H Brown the local estate agency, are leading the sales. Three bedroom semi-detached houses are for sale for £160,000. Three bedroom detached houses are £180,000 and four bedroom houses are £225,000.

Gary Rogers, new homes manager at William H Brown, said: "There is a lot of anticipation around Northgate and so we look forward to welcoming customers to our launch event, showcasing these fantastic Rother Living family homes for the first time.

"The new development provides the perfect setting for family living – set in a close knit community and sitting alongside local amenities and transport links - and we expect significant demand for the homes."

Building work, which began at the end of 2017, is set to soon to finish and first completions are expected before the end of the year.

The Council has appointed Wates Residential to develop 217 new homes across the borough, 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.

Rother Living website

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News: Building futures for jobseekers in Rotherham

Rotherham Council's partnership with Wates Residential North to build 217 homes has resulted in employment opportunities for people in the borough.

The Wates Group is one of the largest privately-owned construction, development and property services companies in the UK and was selected by the authority as a development partner for a £29m scheme on some of the authority's "more challenging" sites.

Wates, alongside delivery partner Ixion Holdings, brought its two-week accredited Building Futures training programme to the town, with ten local jobseekers from Rotherham and Doncaster taking part.

During the course the candidates, aged between 20 and 45, worked towards achieving a BTEC Level 1 in construction, traffic marshalling, asbestos awareness and health and safety qualifications. The programme culminated in the attendees sitting the Construction Skills Certificate Scheme (CSCS) on the final morning.

The training programme also provided hands on experience in joinery and multi-trade skills and allowed the candidates to practice interview techniques and coaching for successful employment on completion of the course. Three of the candidates have since received job offers.

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Building Futures was launched in 2005 and to date over 1,250 people have completed the course across the UK. After completing the programme the candidates will be supported by Ixion Holdings with further employment advice for six months.

Phase one of the construction programme includes development at Braithwell Road in Maltby - where properties have recently gone to market. The homes are likely to be available from in the region of £155,000 with Help to Buy an option on all properties. Also in the first phase, properties are being built at Conway Crescent, Farnsworth Road, East Herringthorpe and Gaitskell Close.

Phase two in Dinnington will commence later this year, with phase three in Canklow already having started on site. Completion is expected for all 217 homes in 2020.

Throughout the development work, Wates has committed to deliver further training and employment opportunities for local people. Wates has engaged local suppliers and subcontractors to ensure that the Council's investment provides a boost for the local economy.

Richard Shroll, managing director at Wates Residential North, said: "One of the most rewarding aspects of our work in Rotherham is knowing we are creating a tangible legacy - not just in the homes we are building, but also in the employment and skills opportunities we are creating for local people. I'd like to congratulate all of our participants for the excellent worth ethic and commitment to learning shown during the two weeks, and wish them the best of luck in their future careers."

Cllr. Dominic Beck, Cabinet Member for Housing at Rotherham Council, added: "When we embarked on this successful partnership with Wates we were excited about the additional benefit of training opportunities for local people. I'm delighted to hear about the people from Rotherham who have benefited from the training programme and now have the skills they need to progress in their career. The new housing development will also mean over two hundred high quality, affordable homes in the borough, which will really boost our housing supply and help to regenerate the borough making it a place where people want to live and spend their leisure time."

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News: Houlton lands Rotherham housing construction contract

Hull-based Houlton Construction has won the contract for a long awaited housing development at Rawmarsh in Rotherham.

One of a number of projects to get started under Rotherham Council's new "Rother Living" brand is at Bellows Road in Rawmarsh where the regeneration of the former shopping centre has taken a number of years.

Planning permission was recently granted for 58 houses on vacant land. The brief for the development was to "provide a range of contemporary and stylish affordable homes to meet a range of people with shared ownership houses, to create a truly sustainable neighbourhood."

A range of apartments and houses are proposed.

Outline planning approval was granted in 2009 for a mixed-use development of retail and housing on the site but developers ROK went into administration shortly after. Plans for the first phase of retail progressed in cooperation with new council partners, Caddick Developments and new tenants on site included Tesco, Heron Foods, The Post Office and Vantage Chemist.

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Rotherham Council will be spending £50m over the next three years to build homes across the borough that meet the needs of residents and over half of the total will be council houses. Properties will be available to rent, part-own or buy.

In 2017, Rotherham Council was awarded £6.81m of grant funding through the Homes and Communities Agency's (HCA's) Shared Ownership and Affordable Homes Programme (SOAHP).

WATES Residential Ltd, one of the Council's main construction partners, has already started on the "Site Clusters" programme that will see 217 homes built across seven sites in Maltby, Canklow, East Herringthorpe and Dinnington.

In addition, O&P construction has already begun work, including work on specialist bungalows and older people bungalows, on various smaller sites around the borough.

Cllr. Dominic Beck, Cabinet Member for Housing at Rotherham Council, 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."

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

Houlton Construction website

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News: Wates gets to work on £29m Rotherham housing scheme

The first phase of construction work as part of the £29m scheme in Rotherham will begin in Maltby.

The Council is bringing forward some of its "more challenging" sites using a innovative development model. Wates successfully secured a multi million pound tender and will act as the Council's development partner.

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 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.

The Wates Group is one of the largest privately-owned construction, development and property services companies in the UK and 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.

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Cllr. Dominic Beck, cabinet member for Housing at Rotherham Council, 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, added: "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."

Last month, the Council's cabinet approved the authority's plans to use £6.81m of grant funding it secured through the Homes and Communities Agency's (HCA's) Shared Ownership and Affordable Homes Programme (SOAHP).

Wates Group website

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News: Wates hosting meet the buyer event for £29m Rotherham scheme

Wates Construction, the firm awarded a key contract to deliver over 200 new houses on a cluster of sites owned by Rotherham Council, is hosting an event for local suppliers this week.

The Wates Group is one of the largest privately-owned construction, development and property services companies in the UK and has previously worked on projects to provide social and affordable housing in Canklow under its Wates Living Space brand.

The Council is bringing forward some of its "more challenging" sites using a innovative development model. Wates successfully secured a multi million pound tender and will act as the Council's development partner to proceed with sites in Maltby, Canklow, East Herringthorpe and Dinnington.

Wates and Rotherham Council are finalising plans for the delivery of 217 properties over the next three years. 83 are for private sale with the remainder being mixed tenure across six different sites.

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Following a comprehensive review of their supply chain data management systems and the providers of this technology available in the market place, Wates Group adopted Constructionline in a bid to streamline procurement processes and reduce risk across all its contracting divisions.

Constructionline and the contractor are hosting a free event at Rotherham United's New York Stadium on November 24.

The event will provide the opportunity to meet the suppliers of the trades required to complete this contract, identified as: scaffolding; joiners; bricklayers; plumbers; plasterers; electricians; decorators; tilers; floor layers.

With overall developments costs of £29m, the initiative uses a Development Agency Model (DAM), where the Council acts as developer and Wates are the constructor and delivery agent. This is a new delivery route for the Council and creates the opportunity for it to maximise the value of its assets and deliver a greater number of high quality new homes, as opposed to simply selling the individual sites on the open market.

Houses sold will lead to sales revenue provided directly to the local authority (excluding a developer's margin) to cross subsidise the development. The Council will also receive the majority share of any developer's profit on the schemes, through retaining the development value of the land.

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Mick Holling, business director at Wates Residential, said: "Following the award of the site cluster project to Wates Residential, our team has been in close consultation with Rotherham Council to establish a deep-rooted understanding of the build technicalities involved and to develop a comprehensive build schedule for the scheme.

"The council has set out an innovative vision for the scheme and our carefully selected project team is primed to deliver on these aspirations to create energy efficient homes that will fulfil the needs of local people."

Cllr. Dominic Beck, Cabinet Member for Housing, at Rotherham Council, added: "Wates were chosen for their forward-thinking designs, innovative approach and high standard construction processes and a tailored aftersales package. Wates is an experienced delivery partner and can expertly manage the entire process."

The three-year programme is to be delivered in three phases, with building starting in 2017. It is envisaged that homes will be available for rent and sale from 2019.

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News: £29m Rotherham Council housing scheme set for sign off

A £29m initiative to kickstart housebuilding on a cluster of sites owned by Rotherham Council is set to be signed off next week.

The Council is seeking approval from the Cabinet and Commissioners' decision- making meeting to proceed to build homes across seven sites in Maltby, Canklow, East Herringthorpe and Dinnington.

The meeting, which takes place on July 10, will seek approval to build 217 new homes. It is proposed these properties will have a mixture of tenures to include: 83 new homes for outright sale, 36 shared ownership or rent to buy homes and 98 new council homes, of which five will be homes for adults with specialist needs.

The Council identified Wates Residential through a competitive tendering process last year as the preferred developer to build the new homes. If the proposal is approved, it is envisaged that this highly innovative scheme will start in Autumn this year with completion due in 2020.

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With overall developments costs of £29m, the initiative uses a Development Agency Model (DAM), where the Council acts as developer and Wates are the constructor and delivery agent. This is a new delivery route for the Council and creates the opportunity for it to maximise the value of its assets and deliver a greater number of high quality new homes, as opposed to simply selling the seven individual sites on the open market.

Houses sold will lead to sales revenue provided directly to the local authority (excluding a developer's margin) to cross subsidise the development. The Council will also receive the majority share of any developer's profit on the schemes, through retaining the development value of the land.

Cllr. Dominic Beck, Cabinet Member for Housing at Rotherham Council, said: "We will be delighted to gain approval of this ambitious scheme as it will improve the quality and choice of housing, whilst increasing the number of new homes built in Rotherham.

"We are determined to build more properties to be rented out as Council homes across the borough and this development is a real testament to this aim.

"The development will also increase housing in key areas of the borough, which are underdeveloped at present, providing a much needed boost with the addition of brand new housing, tailored to meet the needs of local people."

Jo Jamieson, managing director at Wates Residential, said: "It is evident that there is an increasing need for a mixture of new housing in Rotherham and the Council's ambitious proposals will go some way to addressing this demand.

"If given the go ahead, Wates Residential will be delighted to work with the council on the development, sharing the risk on planning, construction and market sales, and ultimately building mixed tenure homes that cater to the varied property demands of people across the borough."

The Council is also proposing to buy six two bedroom apartments and three four bedroom houses at the Waverley site from Avant Homes.

Wates Residential website

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News: Wates awarded Rotherham housing contract

Wates Construction has been awarded a key contract to deliver a potential 200 new houses on a cluster of sites owned by Rotherham Council.

The authority has signed off its Housing Strategy which launched over the summer. It sets out how the Council is responding to the various housing challenges and what it intends to do and comes after changes to Government funding left councils with a reduced capacity to deliver housing growth.

It is acknowledged that the Council is having to work differently and embrace working with the private sector much more in order to find ways to deliver the objectives.

One key project is an innovative development model from the Council to bring forward some of its "more challenging" sites. Wates successfully secured a multi million pound tender and will act as the Council's development partner to proceed with the seven sites in Maltby, Canklow, East Herringthorpe and Dinnington.

The Wates Group is one of the largest privately-owned construction, development and property services companies in the UK and has previously worked on projects to provide social and affordable housing in Canklow under its Wates Living Space brand.

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The Council is proposing to build 97 homes for outright sale and a further 88 specialist and affordable homes, the timetable is to obtain planning approval by mid May 2017 and achieve a start on site in the summer of 2017.

The proposal from Wates offered to deliver 185 new homes across the seven sites, which will remain in Council ownership. A report to the council's cabinet and commissoners, stated: "Whilst this is the lowest number of housing units offered overall, there is scope to increase the housing numbers on several sites with design variations."

Under the model, Wates will take the role of a developer agent for the Council with the authority funding the development activities. Houses sold will lead to sales revenue (a prospective £3.8m) provided directly to Rotherham Council (excluding a developer's margin) to cross subside the development. The Council will also receive the majority share of any developer's profit on the schemes, through retaining the development value of the land.

Local authorities can borrow funding on much better terms than housing developers and the Council will bank roll the project for around 18 months until sales revenues are generated.

The Council is also required to underwrite the pre-development and planning stage costs, in the event of the project not proceeding. These are currently estimated at £335,000.

As part of its housing strategy, Rotherham has submitted a bid to the Government's new £1.2 billion Starter Homes Land Fund to help prepare key sites in the town centre for residential development. The Council has also acquired more than 90 new homes for council rent in areas of high demand, acquired properties in Maltby which have stood empty for some time and are in need of investment, and sold a number of its sites to private developers.

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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

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