Work to build 32 fully electric new homes on a former open cast mine in Rotherham is underway.

Waverley Green will feature a unique collection of two- and three-bedroom terraced homes – each of them sustainable thanks to developer Forge New Homes’ innovative use of electric energy supplies.

The 1.5-acre site sits at the heart of Harworth Group’s Olive Lane mixed-use development at Waverley, which aims to transform the area into a new sustainable community featuring cafés, restaurants, bars, a convenience food store, a pharmacy, a nursery, small retail shops and a medical centre.

The commencement of works comes following Rotherham Council’s decision to grant planning approval for the scheme in late 2023. Forge has now moved onto the site, marking the occasion with a sod-cutting ceremony, a traditional act which marks the first day of construction. The event was attended by representatives from Harworth Group Plc Forge New Homes LLP and Lindum Group marking the fruition of a shared vision of a masterplan which infuses indoor/outdoor living, with a strong emphasis on encouraging interaction between residents.

The site is Forge New Homes’ third development in the Sheffield City Region. A location which boasts excellent connectivity with its proximity to Sheffield Parkway. £885,000 in funding for Waverley Green was awarded by South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) from the SYMCA Brownfield Housing Fund.

Commenting on the scheme Andy Beattie, Managing Director for Forge New Homes, said: “Olive Lane is a fantastic scheme by Harworth, one that will continue to transform the area and create a strong community at Waverley.

“The development will have a focus on open space and outdoor community areas, providing a vibrant neighbourhood for buyers. With customers at our heart, we’ll continue to build liveable spaces for thriving households and growing communities.”

Waverley Green will also inject the local economy with a huge boost with the creation of hundreds of new jobs throughout the construction process. It also secures employment well into the future with the businesses that will move into the area as part of Harworth’s broader masterplan, as Ed Catchpole, Regional Director from Harworth Group Plc explained: “Our vision for Waverley has been to create an entirely new and vibrant area, where people want to live and work. I’m thrilled to see this phase onsite, with new homes that will enrich the neighbourhood, offering well-designed living options, a fully-electric offering, and extensive green space.

“Forge has a proven track-record of delivering high-quality homes designed for modern families, and we are very pleased to be moving forward with them.”

Lindum Group chairman Freddie Chambers said: “We are delighted to be continuing our construction work at Waverley. This scheme is the sixth we’ve undertaken during the ongoing regeneration of the former Orgreave coal mining site, although it’s the first housing project we’ve delivered here.

“Our previous work has showcased our industrial and commercial expertise, whereas this allows us to utilise our talented team of housebuilders. The modern, sustainable homes will provide a fantastic place to live and will be just yards from the shopping complex and medical centre which we are building on the land next door.

“We are delighted to be a part of the creation of this new development, working alongside Forge and Harworth Group Plc as we realise their vision for the regeneration of this important site.”

The first homes are expected to be available to reserve in 2025 with the scheme scheduled for completion in late 2025. The properties promise to deliver free-flowing layouts, individual south-facing gardens, parking spaces and EV charging ports. Access to the outdoors has been high on the agenda with plentiful landscaped communal areas and footways where residents can enjoy a shared space to connect with one another.