Hundreds of new council houses planned for Doncaster

Members of Mayor Ros Jones’s cabinet are expected to rubber-stamp the proposals in an updated house-building plan over the next five years.

Over 600 new homes will be built by the council, more than 500 through the £100m Council House Build Programme and up to 100 more as DMBC aim to secure a Homes England grant.

Up to another 900 affordable homes will be financed by housing associations, supported by Homes England grant.The council will look at providing a more wide-range of homes to meet needs such as more bungalows and look for ‘opportunities for residential developments’ in borough town centres.

Officers are also keen to improve green credentials and new homes will have higher energy efficiency standards, use more renewable energy and be better protected against the risk of flooding.

Another key aspect is to increase working with public sector partners in averting homelessness and supporting vulnerable people into a settled home.

The new developments will be built on land already identified for housing and brownfield sites ‘wherever possible’.

The council will also aim to complete a new private sector housing stock condition survey to enable targeted support and enforcement to tackle poor property conditions. Officers will work ‘more proactively’ with landlords and tenants.

A long term housing retrofit programme will also be carried out to improve energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions from homes.

Coun Glyn Jones, deputy mayor and cabinet member for housing, said: “We are committed to investing in an aspirational house building programme creating more new affordable homes in all parts of the borough.

“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.”