Story: Rohan Francis
Five large empty houses at 501- 509 Barnsley Road, which were previously owned by Sheffield Council, are to be brought back into use by local social landlord Arches Housing.
The properties, which have been empty for a number of years, stand opposite the junction with Skinnerthorpe Road. The buildings were emptied by the Council as part of the Fir Vale Masterplan regeneration project that began in 2005. The original plan was to demolish them to make way for a new road layout.
The regeneration project was never carried out and the houses have remained unoccupied and have gradually fallen into disrepair, becoming a target for metal theft and vandalism.
Brian Summerson, Chief Executive at Arches, told the Messenger that work will start on the properties as soon as the purchase is finalised and a suitable construction company has been selected to undertake the work.
Once the work begins, Arches will completely renovate the buildings, putting in new roofs, floors, wall linings, insulation and central heating systems. Each home will also be fitted with a new kitchen and bathroom.
If all goes ahead as planned, Arches expected the properties to be ready for June 2013. Once completed, they will be rented out by Arches Housing as family homes through the Council's Choice Based Letting system.