New Homes for High Green

The district of High Green, Sheffield’s northernmost suburb, is well known for being the birthplace of popular indie band the ‘Arctic Monkeys’, and for the past 45 years, the location of one of the city’s remaining tower blocks ‘The Fosters’.

At 38 meters tall and comprising of 10 floors, The Fosters has been a prominent local landmark since its construction by Sheffield City Council (SCC) in 1966.

Although structurally sound, the hard-to-let block still needed significant investment to achieve Decent Homes Standard.

After extensive consultation with the community, local people highlighted a need for change.

On Friday, 3rd September, the demolition of The Fosters tower block began. A small ceremony was held outside the building at 11.00 am with attendees including local residents, staff from SYHA and SCC, contractors from FHM and Wildgoose Construction, local councillors and MP for Penistone & Stocksbridge Angela Smith.

In May of this year, SYHA housed all remaining Fosters tenants, in a new development of 15 beautiful new apartments directly opposite the site of the block.

After the demolition of the block, SYHA will commence development of the second phase of construction, due to complete August 2012. The new development will comprise of seven family homes, available for people on the SCC housing register.

The new homes, designed by Architects Brewsters Bye with the second phase of construction being overseen and developed by Frank Haslam Milan, reach code for sustainable homes level 4. The new homes benefit from sustainability features, including photovoltaic (PV) panels, which with reduce both the carbon footprint and the utility bills of each new household.

Denise Fearnley, SYHA Resident, said: ‘I was very happy living in The Fosters tower block; having lived there since 1996 when SYHA started managing the building. However, after undergoing a double hip operation, mobility is much easier and safer in my new home. The new flats are beautiful and spacious! I’d like to give a special thanks to all those at SYHA who have helped me with the move, without them, I don’t know how I would have coped.’

Tony Stacey, SYHA Chief Executive, said: ‘I am delighted that our new development at High Green is going so well. We often had difficulty letting out the old flats within The Fosters, but we have heard nothing but praise from the residents living in the beautiful new homes. This has been a great partnership between the City Council, residents, the HCA and SYHA. Putting the development package together was fraught with difficulty. At times it must have felt to the residents that it was never really going to happen. Everyone stuck together though and we have got there in the end. The development will benefit from many green features which will both reduce the carbon footprint and the risk of fuel poverty for our residents.’

September 2011