A ground-breaking event has taken place as more than 20 new homes are to be built in Chesterfield - helping increase the number of affordable council homes available in the borough.
The latest project will see the addition of 22 new council properties, located at various sites across Staveley and Middlecroft, as Chesterfield Borough Council continues with its commitment to increasing the number of properties available to families.
Construction of the new-build properties is now well underway after local councillors joined representatives from Fortem Solutions Limited, the council’s main contractor, to break ground on one of the sites and kick-start the project.
The project will see the addition of two three-bed bungalows on Ringwood Avenue and two two-bed bungalows at Court Place, four two-bed bungalows on Wensley Way, two two-bedroom houses on Paisley Close, nine three-bedroom houses on Westwood and three three-bedroom houses at Aston Court.
In line with its climate change strategy, the council is committed to ensuring its properties are energy efficient and these new homes are set to benefit from renewable energy sources.
Each property will be fitted with an air source heat pump for the heating and hot water, whilst solar panels will be installed on the roof with battery storage to generate electricity.
Electric vehicle charging points will be installed on all of the properties to support lower carbon transport options.
Councillor Jean Innes, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for housing, said: “Creating attractive places for people to live is at the heart of what we do and once built, these new properties will provide a welcome addition to our housing stock and be let to people on our housing register.
“The number of people on the housing register has risen in the last year as more people look for affordable housing options as a result of the rising cost of living, and we’re working hard to meet this demand by increasing the number of affordable, modern and accessible homes that are available for families in our borough, so we’re really pleased that works are now underway.
“We are fully committed to helping achieve our goal of becoming a carbon neutral borough by 2050 and are working hard to make sure that our homes are as energy efficient as possible and these new homes will help us to achieve this. The measures in place will not only help us towards our target but will also help reduce fuel bills for our tenants.”
Tom Nicholson, commercial manager at Fortem Solutions Limited, said: “We are delighted to commence these works, partnering with Chesterfield Borough Council, delivering efficient new homes in the borough. In our pre-construction interactions, the council has showcased a commitment to clear communication, decisive decision-making, and a shared vision for project success, which shows the true partnership we have developed together over the years.
“Our collaborative, pro-active approach to project planning and engagement has set a positive tone for our partnership. I am confident that the synergy between our teams will contribute to a streamlined construction process, fostering an environment for further effective collaboration and successful handover of these new properties.
“We look forward to the commencement of works, and we are excited about the prospect of working hand-in-hand with the council once again to bring our shared vision to life.”
