A sod-cutting ceremony celebrated the official start of work to build new homes by Sheffield Housing Company (SHC), with more than £1.5 million of investment from the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA).

Councillor Harry Harpham, Eugien Jaruga (Chair of the SHC) and Dave Sheridan (CEO of Keepmoat) cut the sod at Brearley Forge in Parson Cross, one of three sites in the first phase of SHC’s plans to build 2,300 new homes across the city over the next 15 years.

The 142 homes at Brearley Forge, which are being delivered by SHC (a partnership between Sheffield City Council, Keepmoat and Great Places Housing Group), will be high quality, sustainable and energy efficient, helping residents to dramatically reduce energy bills. Three of the homes will be built to the government’s Code for Sustainable Homes level 6 and all other homes to level 3.

The first phase will see a total of 305 homes, with 116 in Norfolk Park (Park Spring Drive) where start on site will be in early November, and 47 in Shirecliffe, where building is on course to start next year. The homes in phase one are available for sale and rent, with some being built to mobility and wheelchair standards in a scheme which will create new open spaces and help to build real communities, bringing together people from a variety of backgrounds.

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As well as providing housing, the scheme will help to stimulate the local economy with labour initiatives, training schemes and support for small, medium and community enterprises.

Residents were recently given the opportunity to find out more about the jobs available at two informal job sessions which were held in both Norfolk Park and Shirecliffe/Falstaff. This gave details of eight two-year apprenticeships and 30 full-time equivalent jobs that are available locally.

Cllr Harry Harpham, Cabinet Member for Homes and Neighbourhoods, said: "We need a lot more affordable homes to rent and buy in Sheffield so I'm delighted that even in a time of economic hardship, we’re able to find innovative ways to build houses in the areas where regeneration is needed the most. The investment into new housing in Sheffield is also a real boost for the city's local economy because it means new construction jobs and apprenticeships for local people."

Rob Pearson, Head of Area at the HCA, added: "This is a great example of place making with our early investment in the north Sheffield neighbourhood centres, including workspace and a learning centre, now being followed by the growth of new homes to meet the needs of local people and encourage new people to live in this area."

(CD/GK)