Work starts on the new Scowerdons

Published by Jon Land for Home Group in Housing and also in Communities, Environment

Sheffield’s largest housing regeneration scheme has reached another important landmark. Redevelopment work has started on the first phase of the Scowerdons estate, as part of the wider Scowerdons, Weakland and Newstead (SWaN) regeneration project in the south east of the city.

Home Group, which is one of the UK’s largest housing associations, is building over 1,000 new homes across the three estates, in partnership with the City Council and the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA).

In the first phase at Scowerdons, Home Group is building 106 new homes, with around 60 per cent for rent and the remainder for sale (including affordable sale). Building works will be carried out by Lovell and Frank Haslam Milan (FHM), who are part of the Keepmoat Group. FHM will also be doing all the infrastructure works on site, which started this week.

Home’s Project Director, Stuart Massey, said: “In total, we are building approximately 550 new homes at Scowerdons, and we expect the first houses in the first phase to be completed by Spring 2011”.

“Scowerdons has magnificent views across the city and good local amenities, so we expect demand for the properties to be high”.

Councillor Bob McCann, Cabinet Member for Housing and Sustainable, Safer Communities, said: “I’m delighted that we are now seeing real progress on site. Local people have been very patient while we have gone through all the planning and preparation stages. It’s great that they can now look forward to a range of high quality new housing being built”.

David Curtis, HCA Regional Director for Yorkshire and the Humber, said: “It’s fantastic that another milestone has been reached in the regeneration of the Scowerdons estate and the wider Scowerdons, Weakland and Newstead (SWaN) area.

“Creating new affordable quality homes is vital in the HCA’s work to create thriving communities. Schemes such as Scowerdons estate are essential in generating a sense of local pride and creating places people enjoy living in.”

Rosie Winterton, Minister for Yorkshire and the Humber, said: “This major regeneration scheme is great news for the people of Sheffield. The Government, through the HCA, is investing £6.22m in the Scowerdons estate over the next two years which will deliver much needed affordable homes. It will also support the construction industry and create local jobs and apprenticeships.

“This Government is determined to do all it can to support the region’s businesses and people through these challenging economic times.”

809 older, non-traditionally constructed houses are being demolished across the three estates to make way for the new housing. Residents affected by demolition are covered by a unique Residents’ Charter, which means that a new home, with a choice to rent or buy, is available to those who want to stay on the estates.

The first phases of development at Newstead and Weakland are already complete, and Home is now looking to the next phases of development on those estates.