Esh Construction appointed to build 82 new affordable homes in Castleford

The £9.2 million contract will provide much-needed new homes for affordable rent and shared ownership.

Esh Construction is due to break ground in the coming weeks on a £9.2 million scheme which will provide 82 new homes for affordable rent and shared ownership.

Located in the Wakefield town of Castleford, the land is being jointly developed by Leeds Federated Housing Association (LFHA) and WDH, with each registered provider managing 43 units and 39 units respectively.

Designed by Leeds-based Brewster Bye Architects and supported with Homes England funding, a mix of two, three, and four-bedroom houses will be constructed as well as four bungalows. The scheme will transform a 2.2-hectare patch of unused grassland on Pemberton Road which LFHA successfully purchased from Wakefield Council in 2020.

Esh Construction’s affordable housing division has been appointed as the design and build contractor to deliver the development – which includes new road construction and all associated external works – working in partnership with Brewster Bye Architects, BWA (Europe) Ltd and OEC Consulting Engineers Ltd.

Stuart Leslie, Divisional Director at Esh Construction, said: “We are delighted to have secured this contract and to be working in partnership once again with Leeds Federated Housing Association and WDH. We are due to commence work on circa £50 million of new affordable housing schemes across the Yorkshire region in the coming months and this is yet another great project which we are proud to be delivering for the community.”

Stephen Ellis, Head of Development at Leeds Federated said: “This is more great news for Leeds Federated, as we continue an ambitious programme of providing great quality, affordable homes within Castleford, across the Wakefield district and the wider Leeds City Region. We look forward to working again with Esh and other partners on this exciting new Homes England funded development.”

Sue Young, WDH’s Executive Director of Investment, said: “As a business we are always looking for opportunities to provide high quality homes within the local area, both for affordable rent and sale with shared ownership. This scheme will enhance the area, providing more families and professionals with great places to live, and offers a range of modern living options for prospective customers and tenants with excellent transport links to the M62. By investing in our local area, we are creating homes for those who need them in an area that is always in high demand.”

Construction work is expected to commence in February 2021, with a view to the first new homes being available for residents in Summer 2022. 

We are delighted to have secured this contract and to be working in partnership once again with Leeds Federated Housing Association and WDH. We are due to commence work on circa £50 million of new affordable housing schemes across the Yorkshire region in the coming months and this is yet another great project which we are proud to be delivering for the community.”

Stuart Leslie, Divisional Director at Esh Construction