Work has started on a duo of developments in Sheffield, which will create over 300 new homes. Eclipse Phase 2, on Harborough Avenue, and Pennine Village off Manor Lane, are the latest developments to be delivered by Sheffield Housing Company (SHC), which is Sheffield City Council’s joint venture development company with private sector partners Keepmoat Homes and Great Places Housing Group. Funding of £3.2m from the government’s housing accelerator, Homes England, will ensure that the properties built at both sites will address local housing need. Established in 2011, the regeneration partnership has created over 800 jobs, 75 apprenticeships and spent more than £80m with construction businesses in the South Yorkshire region, completing over 1,150 homes. Steve Birch, project director with SHC, said: “It is testament to the hard work, commitment and drive of our partners and Homes England support, that we are able to start work on these two sites. “Despite the pandemic and devastating impact, it has had for many, both personally and professionally, there is significant investment in and around the city. As a regeneration partnership it is our responsibility to ensure that we are providing access to quality, affordable homes that are enabling local people to achieve home ownership and attracting others to consider moving to the area.” 210 distinctive new homes will be built at Eclipse Phase 2, and 101 at Pennine Village. This year, the housing company expects to increase its portfolio to seven developments across the city, which combined, will deliver over 600 homes to three neighbourhoods in Sheffield – Manor, Norfolk Park and Parson Cross. Looking ahead, SHC aims to complete up to 2,300 properties on 23 sites by the end of 2027 – delivering further economic stimulation, job creation and community investment for Sheffield. The partnership’s entire development programme is currently benefitting from over £3m in funding from Homes England and £1.5m from Sheffield City Region.

Templegate Developments Limited, the joint venture partnership of Evans Property Group and Keyland Developments, has agreed terms of sale with Avant Homes and Evans Homes for the acquisition of strategic housing land at the 170 acre Skelton Gate site in the Leeds Aire Valley. Both Avant Homes and Evans Homes are each purchasing half of phase one of the development which incorporates a total 27 acres and will enable the delivery of a combined 400 homes. The development has planning consent in place to build 1,800 new homes on the former open cast colliery site, which sits to the east of Junction 45 of the M1. As well as new homes, the Skelton Gate will also provide a primary and secondary school, public open space, a local centre and a convenience store as well as associated infrastructure. Peter Garrett, Managing Director of Keyland Developments, said: “The sale of phase one of what is one of the most significant regeneration schemes to be seen in the Leeds City Region, is a huge milestone in the transformation of Skelton Gate into a new sustainable community.” Richard Bean, portfolio director at Evans Property Group, said: “We are pleased to have concluded this transaction to enable the provision of much needed new homes and assist Leeds City Council in meeting its housing targets.” Subject to planning approval by Leeds City Council, Avant Homes look to launch its first homes for sale by the end of summer 2022. Avant Homes Yorkshire Managing Director, Chris Coley, said: “We have ambitious growth plans for development across the region so we’re very pleased to be moving forward with this acquisition. “With its fantastic location that will cater to a wide range of buyers, and its proximity to the Aire Valley Enterprise Zone, this will become an exciting flagship development for our growing portfolio.” John Carter, director at Evans Homes, said: “Evans Homes is delighted to be involved in the Skelton Gate development. Following on from the successful launch of our scheme at Tockwith near York, the development at Skelton Gate presents an exciting opportunity to be involved in the creation of a vibrant new community on the edge of Leeds. “The first phase of over 213 homes will commence in mid 2022 and we look forward to welcoming our first homeowners early in 2023.”

The Inn Collection Group has completed the purchase of the 90-room Hotel St George in Harrogate. The northern pub company has bought the Edwardian site in the centre of the historic spa town for an undisclosed value, as it continues to broaden its customer base across Yorkshire. Sean Donkin, Managing Director of The Inn Collection Group, said: “The Hotel St George is an exciting acquisition for us as we continue to expand our customer base and imprint in Yorkshire while continuing to roll out our buy and build strategy as an operator. “We have had Harrogate in our sights for a considerable time while identifying a site that is a fit with our ‘Eat, Drink, Sleep and Explore’ brand. We are delighted to have completed on this superb site which will be a tremendous asset for our customers and our portfolio of inns in the best UK locations.” He added: “The Hotel St George has everything we look for in a The Inn Collection Group venue: A first-class destination, placing our guests into the heart of the UK’s best locations – it is a perfect site for exploring Harrogate and the surrounding Yorkshire Dales. “We are looking forward to enhancing this stunning building so it delivers its full potential for visitors and customers living in and around the locality in Harrogate.” The Hotel St George is on the town’s famous Parliament Hill, close to attractions including the heritage town’s Turkish Baths and Betty’s Tearooms. The site, which includes The Swaledale Restaurant and six function rooms, will continue trading under the group’s ‘Eat, Drink, Sleep and Explore’ pub with rooms brand before undergoing careful refurbishment and remodelling works in 2022. The purchase of The Hotel St George follows the Alchemy-backed group’s acquisitions of landmark Yorkshire venues The Dower House in Knaresborough, The Dean Court in York and The Ripon Spa Hotel in Ripon as The Inn Collection Group continues to deliver new deal and organic growth strategies in Yorkshire, supported with banking from OakNorth. Elsewhere in Yorkshire, The Inn Collection Group is redeveloping Northallerton’s former police station into a 32-bedroom pub with rooms called The Northallerton Inn. Ward Hadaway corporate partner Imogen Holland provided legal advice on the Hotel St George acquisition with Silverstone and Bradley Hall advising on pre diligence. Neil Hart, group managing director at Bradley Hall Chartered Surveyors and Estate Agents, said: “We are proud to have supported The Inn Collection Group with another acquisition – adding to its impressive portfolio and further cementing the firm as a leader in its field and an ambitious and successful operator. “Yorkshire is a hub of opportunity, offering a wealth of reasons to live, work and stay across a variety of attractive, vibrant and prosperous areas within the county.” Gavin Wright, senior director (hotels and hospitality) at JLL advised on the sale on behalf of the vendors.