Sod Cutting Events to mark new Rotherham Council House building

On Wednesday August 18 at 10am , the Mayor of Rotherham, Cllr Rose McNeely, will be making the first ceremonial cut on at the Rother View Road, Canklow site, on which 29 houses and apartments are set to be built by Wates Living Space.

Following that, on Tuesday August 24 at 10am , the Mayor will once again be helping the start of a new construction, this time on Albert Road, West Melton, where 29 houses, apartments and bungalows are to be built by Wildgoose Construction.

Work on a third site, which will see foundations laid for 21 houses on Albany Road, Kilnhurst, will begin on Thursday August 26 at 10.00 am with the work once again being carried out by Wildgoose Construction.

In total there will be 127 units developed for the authority on six sites across the Borough after the Council was successful in £8.5 million bids for grant funding specifically for building new council homes from the previous Government's Homes and Communities Agency.

Two sites are to be developed in Maltby. 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 by TH Michaels.

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 the ongoing construction was great news for the borough.

He added: "After waiting for so many years to be able to build new council housing, to see these developments physically taking shape is fantastic.

"We are still on course to be able to offer families and individuals excellent brand-new council-owned properties in just 12 months time.

"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."

Kate Reid, area manager for the Homes and Communities Agency added: "We are very pleased that our investment has enabled Rotherham to create 127 new homes where people not only want to live but also can afford.

"Because these homes are being built to Code for Sustainable Homes level 4 it will mean reduced heating bills for the tenants and the use of local contractors will mean job security for local people."

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."