A recent sod cutting ceremony has marked the start of building 60 new affordable homes at Briercliffe, Burnley.
Social housing contractor Ring Stones Maintenance and Construction broke the ground on the £6m Primrose Mill development in an event attended by Lesley Burrows, chair of the board at Calico Homes, and pupils from Sir John Thursby Community College.
Primrose Mill will feature a mixture of two and three bedroom homes and 12 apartments. A third of the homes will be designated for general sale through Hobstones Homes, with a number available under the Government’s Affordable Homes Programme through Calico at 80 per cent of market rent.
The development has been designed to be sympathetic to neighbouring properties in Harle Skye, with the style in keeping with existing external facades.
Ring Stones has been appointed to manage the build programme on behalf of registered provider Calico Homes, and Hobstones Homes, which is marketing the sale properties.
The project has been registered under the Considerate Constructor Scheme, defining how it works with its neighbours in the community. Contact has been made with local residents to inform them about preparatory and initial works, and regular updates will be provided throughout the contract.
On site, work will be carried out in accordance with the Code for Sustainable Homes, with all homes meeting level three standards, ensuring energy and water efficiencies for residents and consideration is given to the local environment.
Ring Stones directly employs a labour force to secure long-term employment for local people. For the Primrose Mill development, Ring Stones has already created new roles for a project manager and quantity surveyor, which have both been recruited from an East Lancashire postcode.
The contactor also works with schools and other educational institutes to promote learning and development opportunities. It has a close relationship with Sir John Thursby Community College and hopes to offer site tours and work experience placements at Primrose Mill for pupils interested in entering the construction sector.
Work is due to complete in spring 2015.
Jon Rukin, managing director of Ring Stones, said: “Like much of the country, Burnley is facing an affordable housing shortage, with demand far outstripping supply. Many younger people who have grown up in the area are struggling to get on the property market.
“New build programmes such as this one, which offer high quality, contemporary homes, are a welcome addition for the hundreds of thousands trapped in ‘Generation Rent’. I’m pleased to announce that work is now underway.
“The positive impact of this development will resonate far beyond those who manage to secure a home. We will also be looking to create real value within the community through employment and training initiatives and helping to stimulate investment in the local economy.”