Construction begins at new Barley Homes site in Rougham

08 Apr 2025

Construction of a Barley Homes site at Kingshall Street, Rougham to deliver a mix of new detached and semi-detached homes has been marked with a ground-breaking ceremony. 

Working together Barley Homes and Seamans Building are developing the site, which 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. They, together with local councillors and Barley Homes representatives, were at the special ground-breaking ceremony on Monday 7 April. 

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 Section 106 in the form of education, early years, library, waste, public rights of way and open space contributions.

Cllr Richard O’Driscoll, Cabinet Member for Housing at West Suffolk Council, said: “I am delighted that Barley Homes and Seamans Building are starting building work on a development which 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.”

A Barley Homes spokesperson said: “We are thrilled to be working with Seamans Building to deliver our Rougham development and provide sustainable, quality homes tailored to the local community. We have worked hard with the local planning authority to bring forward this site so it is great to finally break ground and get this development underway.” 

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."

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