Work has started on building 31 new Rotherham Council homes for local people to rent in Eastwood.
A total of 31 homes will be built across two sites – York Road and Netherfield Court – as part of the Council’s promise to provide 1,000 new homes by summer 2027.
When complete, the developments will include a variety of two, three and four-bedroom houses and apartments for local people to rent.
Cllr Linda Beresford, Rotherham Council’s Cabinet Member for Housing, attended the official groundbreaking event along with Council colleagues and representatives from partners, G.S. Kelsey Construction Ltd.
It follows the start of building work on 28 new Council properties on Denman Road, Bushfield Road and Valley Drive in Wath.
Once finished, all homes will be allocated fairly to those in most need on our Housing Register.
Last year Cabinet agreed to make changes to who can apply to join its Housing Register to ensure we prioritise those in genuine need and make best use of the Council’s homes. The tough but fair changes include tougher residency or work requirements and tightened rules to ensure larger properties will be prioritised for families.
Cllr Beresford said: “It’s fantastic to see work now underway on these 31 new council homes in Eastwood, which will provide much-needed, high-quality homes for local people.
“This development is another important step towards our commitment to delivering 1,000 new council homes, helping ensure residents across Rotherham have access to safe, affordable housing.
“We are clear that these homes will be allocated fairly to those who need them most, supported by the changes we’ve made to our Housing Register so we can prioritise local people in genuine need.
“As well as new homes, this project is also bringing wider benefits to the community through our social value approach and our ongoing work to improve neighbourhoods in Eastwood.”
The partnership with GS Kelsey will build on the Council’s award-winning work on social value which seeks to deliver local benefits through its business contracts. Through the work the developer has already donated items including construction toys to Eastwood Village Primary School, which is next to the Netherfield Court development site, and items to Clifton Learning Partnership.
The Council is continuing to support neighbourhood improvements in Eastwood through a coordinated approach that combines enhanced street cleansing, enforcement action and community and schools engagement.
Alongside the Council’s own Housing Revenue Account investment, the 31 new Council homes in Eastwood have been supported by investment from the Brownfield Land Release Fund, Brownfield Housing Fund and the Social and Affordable Homes Programme.
