5. Raise housing standards for local families and ensure that we return to a building rate that will ensure there are enough homes to suit all requirements.
Residents benefiting from the Council's Six Streets Project
After falling to a very low level in 2009, house building rates began to improve in 2010. We have created a new relationship with the Homes and Communities Agency and hope to see further progress in 2011/12.
New council houses - the first in Doncaster for 20 years - are being built at the former Hesley Court in Denaby and should be available from December 2011. This project was initially due to be built under the Homes and Communities Agency Local Authority New Build Scheme, but this was cancelled by the current Government. The build has gone ahead, however, thanks to successful negotiations for funding with the Home and Communities through which we secured a better deal.
New affordable and private homes are being built at Six Streets in Hyde Park, Kirkby Street in Mexborough and Station Road in Stainforth. A development at Askern Road in Toll Bar was completed in March. Bungalows to be rented out by Housing Associations are being built at Wells Road in Wheatley. Other homes have been completed at The Crescent in Dunscroft and at Sandbeck Court in Denaby.
Improvements made to Council homes thanks to the Decency Works Programme
Pathfinder, the national Government run project to rebuild houses in areas particularly in need of regeneration, has ended. However, despite withdrawal of central government, the regeneration of Edlington is pressing ahead, with recent cabinet approvals for developments on the Granby Estate and former Thompson Avenue and Dixon Road sites.
Flats for adults with learning disabilities were completed in April at Cromwell House in Cusworth and new extra care apartments are due for completion in December at the former Graham House site in Kirk Sandall. There are also plans in place to redevelop the Willow Estate in Thorne.
Tackling the issue of empty properties across the borough has been a priority for us and bringing them back into use is a key way for us to ensure more suitable housing is available for local people. The first house to be made available through this initiative has been rented by St. Leger Homes under the council’s empty homes grant scheme.
