Places for People acquires new homes development in Doncaster

Places for People has acquired a site in Doncaster where it will build 59 affordable new homes. The leading placemaker and social enterprise concluded the deal to purchase the site from Godwin Developments with planning consent already in place. This comes as part of Places for People’s plans to increase delivery to over 5,000 homes a year by 2028.  

The 3.5-acre site on Watch House Lane, Bentley – an area of Doncaster - has been vacant for over ten years. Places for People will transform it into a vibrant new community providing a range of contemporary two and three-bedroom family homes to be offered through a mixed tenure approach with affordable rent and shared ownership homes on offer. Offering buyers contemporary living the layout of homes at Watch House Lane will provide a generous amount of space internally and externally with plenty of open space in the community.  

Places for People aims to start construction on site in spring 2024 with the first homes expected to be ready by the end of that year. In an area with strong demand for affordable housing, the scheme will contribute over half of the affordable housing need in Bentley according to the Housing Need Study1 by City of Doncaster Council.  

Nilam Buchanan, Regional Managing Director, Central and North at Places for People comments: “We are delighted to have the opportunity to transform this disused land in Doncaster into a well-designed new neighbourhood that will provide the affordable homes that local people need. Places for People is driven by its commitment to adding lasting social value to the communities we build, so we will ensure this development becomes somewhere people are proud to live with high-quality construction and attractive green spaces. Thanks to Godwin Developments, we are taking on a site with planning permission already granted, putting us in a strong position to move ahead swiftly and deliver this exciting and sustainable new development.”  

Matt Chandler, Managing Director at Godwin Developments, said: “We are really pleased to be working yet again with Places for People, this time on a project in Doncaster which will facilitate the delivery of 59 much-needed homes for the local community. Utilising our in-house development and planning expertise, we have been able to advance the transformation of this disused brownfield site into a thriving new community, benefiting from its own green spaces as well as access to the Trans Pennine Trail.  

“We look forward to seeing Places for People deliver these modern, energy-efficient homes in due course while as a business we continue to focus on developing further residential, commercial, and industrial opportunities that match our strategy.”   

Located within a short walk of Bentley train station, the development’s convenient location is ideal for commuters, and a range of amenities on the doorstep including shops and schools will make it an appealing choice for a wide range of residents. The plans for the new community include a children’s play area, extensive landscaping including a central ‘village green’ communal space and wildflower meadows. The layouts of the homes have carefully considered design and high standards of energy efficiency, with features such as EV charging points.  

As the company behind the planning and delivery of large-scale, mixed-use schemes, Places for People is a trusted pair of hands when it comes to creating thriving communities. As the UK’s leading social enterprise, Places for People puts all profits back into the delivery of its social aims, including much needed affordable homes, meaning its focus is on improving lives through placemaking and building communities that are sustainable for the long term.