Councillors and senior officers joined other partners and site teams to lay bricks on 41 new council homes, in Shirecliffe, marking the latest phase in Sheffield Housing Company’s (SHC) ambitious plans to expand affordable housing options across the city.
Securing planning approval in January, SHC – which is Sheffield City Council’s joint venture development company, with private developer Keepmoat and Great Places Housing Group – has mobilised on sites across Musgrave Road, Crumpsall Drive, Crumpsall Road, and Miles Road.
The Shirecliffe sites will deliver a mix of one, two, three, and four bedroomed properties designed to meet local housing demand. In a significant move for the area’s housing stock, Sheffield City Council will purchase all 41 homes – the majority of these will be available through the council for affordable rent, with a small proportion also for shared ownership.
The initiative builds on a similar, successful strategy at three of SHC’s recent developments in the Manor Neighbourhood – Corker Bottoms, off Harborough Road, Manor 12 and 13, off Harborough Avenue and Pennine Village, off Manor Lane – where nearly a third of the new homes (a combined total of 98) have been purchased by the council and Great Places Housing Group. With many tenants already moved in alongside new private owners, these estates are enhancing neighbourhoods and communities where vacant and disused land once lay.
Howard Young, Senior Development Manager at SHC, said: “The start of construction work on SHC’s 18th development, this time back in the Shirecliffe area, is a major milestone and it is rewarding to see work moving forward at pace on these new homes.
“By working closely with our partner Sheffield City Council, we have developed a plan that will deliver a further 41 high quality, modern and affordable homes to meet housing need in the city.”
Councillor Douglas Johnson, Chair of Sheffield City Council’s Housing Policy Committee, said This bulk purchase demonstrates our commitment to increasing the city’s affordable housing stock. By acquiring all 41 of these modern, energy-efficient homes directly for the council, we are taking proactive steps to provide high-quality social housing for families who need it most.
“Where there was once an estate of council housing, it is pleasing to see the return of good-quality, affordable, warm and secure housing in Shirecliffe. This really demonstrates the advantages of partnership working.”
The Shirecliffe housing development is being supported and part funded by the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA). The Mayor and SYMCA have a shared purpose to create a stronger, greener, fairer South Yorkshire. They work together to unlock the potential of South Yorkshire people, businesses, and places to ensure they prosper.
The delivery of these 128 new council houses is part of a broader programme set out by SHC to deliver 2,300 multi-tenure homes across 23 Sheffield sites, over 70% of which have been for private purchase on the open market. To date, SHC has supported the local economy by creating and safeguarding over 1,730 jobs – with 65% of the workforce based in South Yorkshire -and has championed vocational growth through 130 project-initiated apprenticeships, while safeguarding over 400 existing apprentices.
Dan Crew, Divisional Chair at Keepmoat said: “At Keepmoat, we’re proud to work alongside key partners who share our commitment to creating high quality, multi-tenure homes.
“Our continued delivery alongside Sheffield City Council and Great Places is a fantastic demonstration of that commitment, and we’re excited to begin transformative works at the Shirecliffe sites.”
For more information about SHC developments please visit: www.sheffieldhousingcompany.co.uk