Contract signed for new Barley Homes site in Rougham

A contract has been signed by Barley Homes Group Ltd and Seamans Building to build a mix of new detached and semi-detached homes for Rougham.

The village site will include four affordable homes and a new footpath linking to the current right of way between Oak Lane and Kingshall Street.

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

Local business, Seamans Building, were chosen following a robust tendering process and are due to start construction on site in April 2025.

The scheme will bring much needed housing for the area, whilst also bringing extra income for West Suffolk Council to help support services.

The site will deliver 13 homes with a mix of one, two, three and four bedroom properties, with sizeable rear gardens with countryside views. Four of the homes will be affordable.

To improve energy efficiency and sustainability, each new dwelling will be constructed with a fabric first approach and will include high levels of insulation. Additionally, all homes will have heating and hot water provided via air sourced heat pumps with electrical vehicle charging points also installed.

As part of the development there will be high quality landscape features such as, new and retained native trees and hedges, landscaped attenuation area and planting to the front of the development.

This site will also deliver off site provision from the agreed S106 in the form of education, early years, library, waste, public rights of way and open space contributions.

A Barley Homes spokesperson said: “We are committed to providing sustainable, quality homes tailored to the local community and are delighted to be working with Seamans to deliver our development in Rougham. We have worked hard with the Local Planning Authority to bring forward this site so are keen to start seeing the development progress.”

Cllr Richard O’Driscoll, Cabinet Member for Housing at West Suffolk Council, said: “I am delighted that this development will contain affordable homes that are tailored for local residents. This is part of the council’s ongoing investment in West Suffolk to provide much needed homes for our communities to thrive. Barley Homes has already successfully developed properties in Haverhill and I look forward to seeing Rougham move forward.”

Adam Cummings, Commercial Director at Seamans Building, said: “Seamans Building is honoured to have been appointed as the contractor for this important mixed tenure project. Our team is committed to delivering high-quality, energy efficient homes that will provide much-needed housing for the local community. We look forward to collaborating closely with our partners Barley Homes to ensure the successful delivery of this development.”