Work starts on new Barley Homes site for 37 new dwellings

The start of works for 37 new homes and improvements to a redundant site in Haverhill has been marked with a ground-breaking ceremony.

Working together Barley Homes and Marfleet and Blyth Ltd are developing the former Westfield Primary School site, in Manor Road, which will include 30% affordable homes, open space and funding to upgrade access to and the surface of the local Railway Walk.

Barley Homes Group Ltd is the housing company owned by West Suffolk Council, established to develop much needed housing as well as wider benefits for the community.

Marfleet and Blyth were chosen following a robust tendering process. They, together with local councillors and Barley Homes representatives, were at the special ground-breaking ceremony on Monday, February 17.

Not only will the scheme bring much needed housing and improve a vacant site in Haverhill but also will bring extra income for West Suffolk Council to help support services.

The Westfield site will be the first development for Barley Homes with a site on the former Castle Hill School site also progressing well towards the start of development.

The development will bring funding contributions to the secondary and primary school, library, affordable homes and pre-school provision.

The site will include 37 homes, parking and landscaping comprising of 4 x one bed flats, 5 x two bed flats, 10 x two bed houses, 14 x three bed houses and 4 x four bed houses, with 11 of the 37 homes being affordable.

All homes will also meet the government’s guidance on minimum space standards.

John Griffiths, leader of West Suffolk Council, said: “I am really pleased that Barley Homes with Marfleet and Blyth Ltd are starting building work and I look forward to seeing the first residents moving in. This is part of the council’s ongoing investment in Haverhill and West Suffolk to provide much needed homes for our local communities.”

Sara Mildmay-White, cabinet member of housing at West Suffolk Council, said: “I’m delighted that this development will include much needed affordable homes in Haverhill to help meet some of the demand we’ve identified. It will also achieve a strong housing mix, creating homes for people of all ages including those who are living on their own, as well as families.”

A spokesperson for Barley Homes Group, added: “We are pleased to be working with Marfleet and Blyth to deliver the first of our developments and provide homes and wider benefits on a site that has been unused for some time. Local councillors and the community have been at the heart of helping to design the site which also includes improving the access to Railway Walk which is a well-used link in Haverhill.”

Graham Marfleet, managing director of Marfleet and Blyth, said: “We are delighted to be given the opportunity to deliver Barley Homes first housing contract in providing housing for the local community.”

West Suffolk Council member for Haverhill East, John Burns, said: “I am pleased to see this long derelict site being redeveloped to provide much needed homes and wider benefits for our town. I, with other local councillors, have worked hard to make sure the local community has been part of the process, especially the improvements to the Railway Walk. I look forward to seeing the homes built and welcoming the new occupants.”

And West Suffolk Council member for Haverhill East, Pat Hanlon, said: “Haverhill is a great place to live and it has been good to see the contractor start works. The public have been involved in developing the site which has been left derelict and in need of improvements. This new development will be an improvement and the income will help local services.”

Pictured above are Marfleet and Blyth construction manager Ricky Lewis, project manager Graham Harley, Marfleet and Blyth managing director Graham Marfleet, Pat Hanlon, John Burns, Sara Mildmay-White, Anne Bennett and Davina Howes of Barley Homes.