First new council housing in 30 years in Rotherham

Work has begun on the first new council housing in Rotherham for 30 years.

A total of 36 properties are to be built in Wood Street, Thrybergh. They will be the first of a total of 127 units developed across the borough.

The £2.3m scheme will comprise a total of 28 two, three and four-bedroom houses, and eight two-bed apartments.

The funding was made possible through the previous government's Homes and Communities Agency. The council was successful in an £8.5m bid for funding.

It is to be spent specifically on building new council homes.

The next site where work will begin is at Rother View Road in Canklow at the end of July where 29 houses will be built.

'Hard work'

Other places where new council properties will be built be are at Kilnhurst, West Melton and Maltby.

Work is due to start before September at all the sites.

The council said all the houses would be of a "high-quality build, a safe environment and incorporate high-energy efficiency measures, making them affordable for council tenants to live in".

Councillor Jahangir Akhtar, cabinet member for housing and neighbourhoods for the council, said he was delighted to see work starting on the first site.

"We have wanted to build council houses for many years in Rotherham and thanks to a great deal of hard work and determination the council was very successful in its bids.

"This now means that by August 2011, we can offer 127 families and individuals excellent brand-new council-owned properties."