Plan for 'green' homes welcomed

Construction is already under way on a 27-house site in the Shirecliffe area as a result of a successful 1.5m bid in the first round of a 100m Homes and Communities Agency Scheme.

But Sheffield Council also applied for cash in the second round of the HCA's Local Authorities: Bidding for New Build programme and was successful in grabbing the maximum 2.15m.

This means that housing chiefs can go ahead with a scheme which will see 19 new homes built in Burngreave, close to the city centre, and eight on the existing Parson Cross estate.

At tomorrow's meeting senior councillors will examine the financial detail of the tandem building project, which will require the authority to borrow an extra 2,259,036 to go ahead.

In a report, housing officers confirm the new houses will be built in the Ellesmere area of Burngreave and in the Chaucer area of Parson Cross, which are both seen as deprived communities.

Officers say: "The council has recently agreed to deliver 735 new affordable homes, as one significant effect of the downturn on the economy has been to drastically reduce the rate of new house building.

"This includes the number of affordable homes for rent and for sale nationally. The provision of new housing in Ellesmere and Chaucer will help to address this reduction in delivery of new housing.

"It will improve the overall sustainability of these communities by providing good quality housing as well as choice and access to a wider offer of homes in the areas."

Blueprints show a development including two, three, four and five bedroomed houses on the Ellesmere site, which was formerly a unit for elderly people, and three and four bedroomed houses on the site in Parson Cross.

According to the council, new tenants will benefit from having "some of highest green and eco standards in the city, which will help them to contribute to reducing their carbon footprint".

It is thought the measures, which will include roof-mounted solar panels for both hot water and electricity and low water use sanitary fittings, will also help tenants reduce their utility bills.

Rents for the homes will vary from 73 a week for a two bedroomed house to 92 a week for a five bedroomed home, and the houses will be subject to the right-to-buy scheme.

Both sites were chosen because they are in areas where there is a demand for larger family housing, and large amounts of housing are already being built by other social providers in Parson Cross.

Public consultation schemes on the developments will continue at local events throughout the summer, although the council said it had already decided on the types of houses it planned to build.

Under the HCA funding agreement, work on the new council homes must begin by next March and all units must be complete and ready for occupation exactly 12 months later.

Sheffield Central's new MP Paul Blomfield welcomed the Government cash for the Burngreave and Parson Cross developments, describing the move as "great news for Sheffield".

He added: "We need a lot more affordable homes to rent so I'm delighted by the new investment in council house building. I hope these new homes are the first step towards many more council homes."

"The new investment is also a real boost for Sheffield's economy because the council will be required to offer new construction jobs and apprenticeships to local people.

"Not only will the investment lead to new homes being built, it will create new jobs and skills for the future."