New homes planned for Parson Cross in Sheffield
Plans for seventy three new homes in Sheffield will complete a memorable circle for two men involved in removing properties from the site over a decade ago.
Steve Birch, then working with the council’s housing department, was involved with Councillor Tony Damms, in finding better homes for those living on the site.
The 1950s pre-fabricated Malthouses homes, that once stood in Mansel Crescent, Mansel Road and Mansel Avenue, Parson Cross, were built as part of a national drive to develop large numbers of new homes after the second world war. The temporary properties were approaching the end of their safe life and were no longer fit for habitation in the long term.
Whilst Coun Damms still represents the Southey Ward on Sheffield City Council, Steve is now Interim Project Director with Sheffield Housing Company , a joint venture company established by the council with private sector construction partner Keepmoat Homes and Great Places Housing Group, to deliver regeneration projects on 23 sites around the city.
This month the company has applied for permission to build new homes on the Malthouses site, as part of a 15-year plan to deliver 2,300 homes for sale and rent in Sheffield.
Steve said: “This area is significant to me as, when I worked in housing regeneration at the council, I spent a lot of time supporting the residents who lived in the prefabricated properties to find new, suitable homes. It is rewarding to now be involved in plans which will help to revive the area and if the planning application is successful, bring much needed housing to this part of Parson Cross.”
Councillor Paul Wood, executive member for housing, roads and waste management, said: “This is another important step in Sheffield’s journey towards providing much needed new homes for Sheffield families. We’re very pleased to see these plans for this area of the city and it’s so good to see that currently underused land will be used for this development.”
Once complete, the Malthouses site would offer a mixture of two to four bedroomed homes. At present these are all expected to be for private sale to address a shortfall in the neighbourhood, though SHC continues to consider options to deliver affordable homes where possible.
Due to current restrictions regarding public consultation events and gatherings, SHC is initially inviting local residents to comment on or ask questions about the plans by emailing [email protected] or visiting its Facebook and Twitter pages SheffieldHousingCompany @Sheff_HousingCo.
However, other means of engagement during the planning process are being explored, including public face-to-face drop-in sessions, if safe to do so.