It’s an exciting time for our East Region, which expanded this year with the completion of our first development in Doncaster, Wheatley Hall. Consisting of 50 new homes for affordable rent, this marks a great start to our new partnership with Doncaster Council.
The homes are a mixture of one, two and three-bedroom houses, delivered in partnership with Harworth Group and partly funded by Homes England.
At the heart of the development is the aim to build a sustainable and mixed community, and once works had been completed in early 2025, it was over to our Neighbourhoods Team to ensure that these new homes went to those who most needed them.
From early March, they worked through each plot week by week, being handed over the keys to each property by our partners, Strata. Working through the local lettings plan, they sorted through the shortlist of tenants; some wishing to downsize, and others looking to move away for the first time, including new parents. Then came the usual process of allocating properties according to need, conducting viewing and signing up our new customers.
The project coming to a close this summer, the new homes have been life changing for many for who have been waiting on the housing list for years, and some moving from difficult or untenable living situations. What was clear with all sign-ups however, was how much our new customers appreciate the sheer quality of these new affordable homes, which also come with sustainable features to keep energy bills down, such as air-source heat pumps.
In addition to meeting a range of general housing needs in the community in Doncaster, what makes this development and partnership unique is its designated space for those with autism who need specialist support. Doncaster Council’s Community Autism and Learning Disability Team operate four of the properties in Wheatley Hall, with social workers on hand to support adults to thrive.
The new development at Wheatley Hall has been a real team effort, and it’s great to see the positive impact it’s having on our new customers, and the positive working and learning experience for our graduate. We look forward to continuing to build relationships in Doncaster, with the upcoming development in Simpson Park to come soon.
