A £717k investment to build homes for first-time buyers and affordable rent or shared ownership has been approved by the Sheffield City Region (SCR) Housing Investment Board. So far, £1.23 million in loans and grants has been approved by the SCR Housing Fund, which will see 98 new homes being built in the region. Twenty-five houses and apartments will be aimed at first-time buyers in Mexborough, and 35 affordable homes for rent and shared ownership in Darfield.

A grant of £367k was approved in May by the Board for a 35-affordable home scheme to be built by the Together Housing Association at Nanny Marr Road in Darfield. Work is set start on site in September, with the homes ready to move into by December 2020. Meanwhile, the City Region’s Local Growth Funding is providing £350k to develop the Leach Lane, Mexborough site. Essential works include diverting mains drains, clearing undergrowth, and raising the ground level near the canal bank to avoid the risk of flooding.

“I am delighted that we have secured funds from the City Region which will allow us to build much needed affordable homes in the village centre of Darfield and bring a derelict site back into use. We have worked closely with the City Region and are grateful they have been able to make a swift decision to ensure additional housing can be delivered,” said Hilary Brady, group head of development at Synergy Housing Solutions Ltd, a member of the Together Housing Group.

These two schemes are a follow up of the first project to be approved under the City Region’s £10 million ‘fast track’ housing pilot in March. Work is already underway on site to build 38 affordable flats close to the Park Hill flats in Sheffield with support of £517k from the City Region.

“We’re working to complement and plug the gaps in current national housing investment programme, unlock development opportunities and deliver much-needed new homes across the city region,” said Doncaster Mayor, Ros Jones. “One of the main barriers to development across the City Region is challenging site conditions, and both schemes will develop brownfield sites. Both will also be providing new employment and apprenticeships.”