New homes for Rotherham will be a boost for tenants and first time buyers

Latest news in Yorkshire: July 02, 2017 10:07:40 AM

Rotherham residents are set for a major housing boost through a pioneering new scheme that will provide over 200 much needed new homes in the borough.

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 10th July, 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 in September 2016 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.

Rotherham Council’s Cabinet Member for Housing, Councillor Dominic Beck, 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, 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.”

As part of the Council’s ongoing programme to acquire new Council homes to replace properties sold under the ‘Right To Buy’ scheme and maintain stock levels, it is also proposing to buy six two bedroom apartments and three four bedroom houses at the Waverley site from Avant Homes.

These properties will meet the demands for these types and sizes of property from tenants ensuring that affordable rented social housing is available to those who cannot afford or do not want to buy a home.

The Council is also seeking Cabinet approval to increase the number of homes suitable for older people in the Council’s housing stock by asking approval to build bungalows at Catherine Avenue, Swallownest and St.Mary’s Drive, Catcliffe.

The need for bungalow style homes is high in Rotherham, with its increasing older population with specialist support needs. The borough has a growing population of 260,000 which is also ageing, with one in four aged over 60 years.

The building work on the bungalows is set to start in August this year.

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