VIDEO: Tenants 'really impressed' with new Sheffield council houses

Sarah and Dean Raynes are among the first tenants at the new council houses in Darnall.

The modern homes built by Keepmoat are part of the authority's commitment to provide an extra 1,000 council houses in the city by 2021. They are among the first to be built in the city for decades.

A policy change towards building rather than acquiring houses was approved by cabinet members this year.

The new homes are energy-efficient, with solar panels and heat recovery systems, and adaptable, meaning they can quickly and cheaply be changed to suit people with various different needs.

Sarah and Darren Raynes and their four children were among the first to move into the estate in Ouseburn Road, Darnall.

Darren is disabled and is in pain most of the time. He needs a wheelchair to get around, so an adapted house is essential for the family.

Wife Sarah said: “We’re really impressed with the space here. The boys love it and they’re looking forward to getting out in the garden.

The council has built 51 homes in Darnall and Manor.

"My husband uses a wheelchair and it's great to know that, as his condition is likely to deteriorate, the house can be adapted more to his needs. There's a point for a stair-lift to be fitted and even the option of a through floor lift should he need one.

“My boys have autism and they were all in one room before. They don’t sleep that well and things were pretty colourful.

"It was exhausting. It’s the space that’s we’re most impressed with and our daughter is loving her bigger bedroom.”

Council house rent will fall by one per cent this year - equivalent to 76p per week for tenants - as a result of Government policy.

The homes are modern, energy efficient and adaptable.

The authority says the drop will cost it £13 million. At the same time it is facing a backlog of £101 million on council house repairs.

But councillors have pledged to continue investing in council house repairs in an attempt to reduce the backlog further.

They promised to put £300 million towards improving kitchens, bathrooms, insulation, heating and roofs.

Cabinet member for housing Jayne Dunn said: “The new council homes are brilliant. They’re really good quality and have been built to last. I hope people will be very happy living here.

“Nationally, there’s a massive challenge to provide affordable housing and we’re doing everything we can to tackle this in Sheffield. I’m proud that we’re one of the few local authorities that has continued to build new council housing.”

The new homes were built over 46 weeks.

Keepmoat regional director Nathan Brough said: “We are really pleased to be able to celebrate the completion of Ouseburn Road in Darnall and Scotia Drive on the Manor estate with our partners Sheffield Council.

"Both developments have been completed to a very high standard to ensure that they support the needs of the families living in them. We hope that the residents will be very happy in their new homes."

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