Exciting times ahead for villagers as estate makeover begins

Published by Kelly Elliott for Keepmoat in Housing and also in Communities

The long-awaited transformation of a South Yorkshire housing estate has started, with the first of almost 400 new homes now beginning to take shape.

Redeveloping the Granby estate, in Edlington, has long been a priority for local people, but the scheme ran into difficulties after Government funding was withdrawn last year.

However, Doncaster Council pledged to find a way to complete the project and teamed up with national housing and regeneration specialist Keepmoat to deliver the 387 new homes – the first of which is set to be completed by November.

On a visit to the site, Peter Davies, Mayor of Doncaster said: “It is great to see that work has started on this site.

“After the Pathfinder funding ceased, Doncaster Council pledged to fund the clearance of this site. Together with Keepmoat’s development plans the work is breathing new life into this area, including creating 116 homes for rent. This will create much needed homes to rent for local people.”

The Granby estate development will feature a mix of houses, flats and bungalows, with 271 homes for sale and the remaining 116 available for affordable rent through housing providers Sanctuary Group and Johnnie Johnson.

The redevelopment of the estate has been welcomed by local people. Between 2004 and 2006 the village of Edlington was designated as a housing market renewal funding area under the Government’s Pathfinder scheme, which aimed to breathe new life into neighbourhoods on the edge of decline, with large numbers of empty or hard to sell properties.

Work to demolish run-down homes on the estate began, but funding for the project then came to an end in 2011.

Determined to see the work continue, Doncaster Council sealed a development agreement with Keepmoat and agreed to set aside funding to clear the remaining homes on the estate.

Mark Knight, New Build Managing Director of Keepmoat, which has a head office in Doncaster, said: “We are delighted to be involved in this exciting development on our home patch.

"There have been some economic challenges along the way but thanks to the commitment of the partners involved we are now at the stage where work has begun and local people can start to see the transformation take place.

“This development will support the local community, create employment opportunities and provide much needed affordable new homes, which is great news for local people and the local area as a whole.”

Cllr Barbara Hoyle, Cabinet member for housing, said: ”This work will transform the site and give a boost to the area.”

Local councillor Bob Johnson added: “The impact of this work and of the financial input of the new residents should not be under estimated. This can change in a positive way the entire area.

“My vision is that as the build progresses more and more local people are employed and trained on the site, a workforce that walks to work.”