Work on Huddersfield’s affordable housing scheme has commenced
Members of Kirklees Council have expressed their elation over 30 new affordable homes being built on a brownfield site in a sustainable location.
Following the demolition of the Stile Common Infant and Nursey School, which occurred in 2011, Kirklees Council, Homes England and West Yorkshire Combined Authority joined forces to deliver 30 new, affordable homes in Huddersfield.
Cedric Boston, chief executive of Unity Homes and Enterprise
The new homes will be comprised of two and three-bedroomed properties which will be delivered by BME Housing association Unity Homes and Enterprise. Unity was formed in 1987 with the objective of building a strong, BME-led, community housing association to address the needs of black and minority ethnic communities in Leeds.
Cedric Boston, Unity Homes and Enterprise chief executive, said: ‘We are excited to be expanding our presence in Kirklees with works getting underway on the Plane Street development.
‘The country continues to endure a national housing crisis which will only be eased with the construction of many more affordable homes.’
‘Unity is committed to playing our part to build high-quality properties for local communities that need them,’ Cedric said. ‘We welcome the strong support of Kirklees Council, Homes England and West Yorkshire Combined Authority in delivering this scheme.’
Now leading on two affordable housing schemes in Huddersfield and one in Cleckheaton, Unity owns and manages 1,386 properties for tenants from all communities and ethnic backgrounds in West Yorkshire.
In addition, Cllr Graham Turner has also voiced his gratitude for being able to help deliver must needed affordable housing to the market town.
Cllr Turner, cabinet member for finance and regeneration said: ‘It is fantastic that the council has used its land to create the opportunity for 30 affordable homes to be built on a brownfield site in a sustainable location.
‘I would like to thank council officers and partners at Unity Housing, West Yorkshire Combined Authority and Homes England in getting this project off the ground, using derelict land to help address our shortage of affordable homes to ensure that a high-quality scheme can be built.
‘I am pleased to see that 100 per cent of the housing on this site will be allocated for affordable homes to meet current and future needs.’
News of this new housing scheme taking off coincides with central government announcing that every council in England must prioritise brownfield developments – a site that is built on where a structure already exists. This is to ensure developers get permission to build on derelict patches in England’s 20 biggest towns and cities.
Images: Cedric Boston and EJ Yao