Council to redevelop former NHS homes

COUNCIL HOUSING in Barnsley is being given a boost under a deal which will see some redundant National Health Service homes redeveloped.

Keresforth Close at Kingstone was developed to provide homes for hospital staff but as the need declined, they became clinics and other health bases.

Changes at Barnsley Hospital meant those services were moved to the main site at Pogmoor, leaving the buildings to become vacant before they were bought by Barnsley Council.

Now Berneslai Homes, the council’s ‘arms-length’ management company used to take care of council housing, is redeveloping the homes to provide 12 family homes, including one suitable a disabled occupant.

When the homes, which are being stripped to their shells and rebuilt to modern standards with double glazing, new heating, kitchens and other fixtures, are ready for tenants around June, they will help to plug the demand for rented homes in the area.

Ron Brannon, Berneslai Homes’ development and partnership manager, said: “Because we are a public authority, we will try to do things within our development scope to add to the area.

“Tidying this area up also makes it better for all residents around there.”

It is expected more land may become available for housing development and it is hoped other developers may soon move in.