Legal News

Sheffield City Council is to build up to 1,000 new starter homes thanks to a successful funding bid to central government.

The council says the homes will be sold at a discounted rate to first-time buyers under the age of 40, with at least 20% off the market value. The homes will be built on sites across the city, with brownfield land used wherever possible.

Details of the funding arrangements will now be finalised between the Homes and Communities Agency and Sheffield City Council. The council will also look at individual site options in detail, which will determine the total number of new homes built.

The council says that, if agreements can be reached quickly with the government and developers, construction on the first homes could start later this year.

Sheffield City Council Cabinet Member for Infrastructure and Transport, Councillor Mazher Iqbal, said:

“This is great news for Sheffield and will mean more young people are able to get a foot on the housing ladder – Sheffield is a growing city and we need more homes and a bigger mix of the type and tenure of homes.

“This funding will allow us to work more closely with the government and private developers to bring brownfield land back into use and help people who want to own their own homes.

“Of course, this alone will not solve the housing shortage and more needs to be done nationally. But we’re using all tools available in Sheffield and will keep bidding for extra funding. There will also be knock-on benefits in terms of job creation and regenerating areas.”

Sheffield’s bid success was announced as part of the government’s announcement on starter homes partnership areas – 30 areas in the country have been awarded this status under the government’s £1.2 billion Starter Homes Land Fund.

Duncan Lewis Housing Solicitors

Duncan Lewis housing solicitors can advise on a wide range of housing law, including advising developers and self builders on planning permissions and planning appeals.

There are Duncan Lewis offices across England and Wales and our housing team is also able to advise on:

• Debt management for homeowners


• Disrepair of rented property


• Housing Benefit


• Housing possession


• Landlords’ obligations


• Landlord and tenant disputes


• Lease extensions


• Local Authority housing


• Mortgage repossession


• Notice to quit


• Nuisance neighbours


• Right to Buy


• Right to Rent checks


• Tenancy agreements


• Unlawful eviction.