A ground-breaking event held on the site of a new housing development has marked the latest milestone in Chesterfield Borough Council’s commitment to increasing the number of affordable council homes in the borough.
The construction of 10 new homes in Middlecroft is now underway as local councillors joined representatives from Robert Woodhead Ltd, the council’s main contractor, on site at Wensley Way to kick-start the new project.
This latest development will see the addition of two three-bed bungalows on Rowsley Crescent, two two-bed bungalows on Court Place, four two-bed bungalows on Wensley Way and two two-bedroom houses on Paisley Close.
In response to the climate emergency that was declared by council leaders in July 2019, each of the properties will benefit from high levels of energy efficiency, including enhanced levels of insulation and the installation of energy efficient boilers and lighting throughout.
An electrical vehicle charging point will also be installed at each property to help encourage lower carbon transport options.
Each of the houses and bungalows will be fully landscaped with tarmac driveways and turfed lawns.
It comes as local families are set to move into new homes at Badger Croft in Loundsley Green, with the recent completion of the largest development of council homes in the borough for a generation, which has seen an additional 21 new homes added to the council’s housing register.
Councillor Chris Ludlow, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for housing, said: “This is another significant milestone for us in our efforts to increase the number of affordable council homes across the borough. We’re really excited to watch the latest development progress.
“The new properties will provide affordable, modern and accessible homes for local people and the energy efficiency benefits will offer affordable warmth to our tenants whilst also allowing us to contribute to a more sustainable future for us all.”
Jack Snowdon, Senior Project Manager at Robert Woodhead Ltd, said: “We are delighted to be starting on this project for Chesterfield Borough Council to provide the much-needed additional affordable social housing in the area. The bungalows will be very well insulated and therefore should aid in the reduction of fuel bills, whilst also creating a comfortable living environment throughout the year for the occupiers. This coupled with energy efficient boilers and lighting will assist in responding to the climate emergency and creating more affordable running costs.”