Three new housing developments are to be built in Rotherham town centre as national contractor Willmott Dixon is appointed by Rotherham Council to deliver 171 homes within the region.

The £31.5m scheme is made up of three Rother Living developments - one on the site of the former Henley’s garage in Wellgate, another on Sheffield Road, and the final site on Westgate on the Millfold House site.

The projects are being delivered on behalf of Rotherham Council as part of the local authority's ambitious housing growth programme and Town Centre Masterplan. The development will feature a mix of houses and apartments for council housing, shared ownership, and affordable sale.

Stuart Kerr, operations director at Willmott Dixon, said:

“These three Rother Living schemes are hugely important projects for the town and Rotherham Council. The developments will make a difference to the local community by providing high-quality council housing and opportunities for residents to get on the housing ladder.

“We’re excited to be working in partnership with Rotherham Council and their Rother Living brand. As an employer within the region and, having recently completed Rotherham’s University Centre as part of the Rotherham Plan 2025, we are delighted to be playing a part in the council’s continued investment in housing and the town centre. With 75% of the development reserved for affordable housing, these schemes will go a long way to support the council’s housing growth plans.

“Research by the National Housing Federation estimates that over 8.4 million people in England are in unaffordable, insecure or unsuitable homes, with over 400,000 people either homeless or at risk of homelessness – so we are delighted to be providing much needed high-quality housing within the region.”

The £13m site Westgate Riverside development in Sheffield Road consists of two apartment blocks containing 44 homes and 28 two and three-storey semi-detached and terraced houses. Westgate’s Millfold House development, which is valued at £10m, will feature one apartment block consisting of 31 apartments and 14 back-to-back houses. The third development, on the site of the former Henley’s garage on Wellgate, consists of two apartment blocks containing 34 homes and 20 two and three-storey terraced houses, with a value of £8.5m. The high-quality new builds will be energy efficient and equipped with electric vehicle charging points.

Willmott Dixon is already working across these sites. In Sheffield Road, full site set-up is already complete and work is on-going to transform the land, which includes the addition of flooding defenses. Work has also started at the Millfold House development with ground preparation work having commenced in mid-June.

Millford House

Stuart added:

“Throughout the three projects, we have committed to investing five per cent back into the local community, equating to a monetary value of £1.3m. As with all our projects, we aim to leave a lasting legacy on the communities we work in. During the developments, our teams will be collaborating with local schools and colleges, community projects, and charities. Our teams will also be hosting enrichment sessions, employability skills workshops, site visits, work experience placements, and sessions with ex-offenders and unemployed people helping them back into employment – all to benefit the local community.

“We will also be actively supporting local social enterprises and SMEs, delivering initiatives to improve wellbeing and mental health in the community, supporting local projects, community groups and running initiatives aimed at reducing crime.”

Councillor Dominic Beck, cabinet member for housing at Rotherham Council, said:

"These are exciting developments that will deliver 171 new properties for local people, including 129 council homes and shared ownership dwellings. It will transform three disused former industrial sites and comes at a time when the Forge Island part of our Town Centre Masterplan starts to take shape.

"The developments include a variety of property types to suit people of different ages - including first-time buyers, key workers, families, and older downsizers. A lot of hard work has gone into putting these plans together and it's fantastic to see the Willmott Dixon team making a start on development, which will greatly contribute towards our ambitions for housing growth and town centre regeneration.

“Ultimately, these three developments are a significant step forward in our vision to improve Rotherham town centre, giving it a new sense of purpose with a stronger identity and thriving community, which local people can take pride in.”

The developments, which have been designed by Bond Bryan Architects, are due for completion in 2022.

Willmott Dixon is experienced in delivering residential schemes across the UK, working in collaboration with the public sector and other private sector partners to ensure projects are completed on time and within budget. Willmott Dixon has extensive experience in building all types of residential developments, from housing estates to care homes, retirement villages, mixed-use, and student accommodation, as well as build to rent.

Willmott Dixon recently completed the Doncaster Housing scheme, which saw the creation of 118 affordable homes within the town and contributed towards the 309 homes that it has completed in the Doncaster area over the last four years. The contractor is also currently on-site at The Beeches and The Nevilles housing development in Leeds, which is set to deliver 59 new homes when it completes later this year.

Sheffield Road