£100m housebuilding programme planned for town
Doncaster Council’s Cabinet will consider plans for a housebuilding programme which will see £100m invested in affordable homes in Doncaster over the next five years.
The report goes to Cabinet on Tuesday 12 January and, if approved, will see an updated Housing Strategy 2015-2025 and a New Homes Delivery Plan.
The Delivery Plan will see the provision of new homes accelerated from 10 years down to five years.
Cllr Glyn Jones, Deputy Mayor and cabinet member for housing and equalities, said: “We are looking to invest in high quality, super energy efficient, greener homes that meet the needs and wants of Doncaster residents, support wellbeing and independence and help with our climate change and biodiversity emergency agenda.
“We want to support our local economy and help with the revitalisation of our town centres and communities. Top quality, new homes certainly deliver on this front.
“The new Housing Strategy and accompanying Delivery Plan for new homes will help us create homes fit for the future. We want good homes for everyone.”
Between 2015 and 2020 the council’s efforts saw 925 new affordable homes built. This included £54m worth of council investment to provide over 400 council homes.
The new council housebuilding programme will be split into three delivery phases over the next five years through to 2025 with an ambition to build over 500 more council homes.
The plans will also see further affordable homes for families, older people and residents with special needs delivered through partnerships with housing associations and the private sector.
Developments will be built on land already identified for housing and where possible will mainly involve brownfield sites.
People will receive more support and guidance to make their homes more energy efficient through better insulation and heating and encouraged to take up the Government’s Green Homes Grants.
A long term housing retrofit programme will also be established to improve energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions from homes.
Doncaster Mayor, Cllr Ros Jones, added: “Councils working alone cannot meet the challenges we face from climate change and an ageing population.
“By working with our residents, community organisations and other partners, we can help the people of Doncaster to protect their independence and wellbeing.
“We want to enable and support people to plan, act and invest in their homes.”
