Member Article

Developer appointed for 222 home scheme

Plans for a new residential neighbourhood in South Shields have moved a step closer following the appointment of a developer for the scheme by South Tyneside Council.

Housing and regeneration specialists Keepmoat Homes have been appointed by the Council and the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) to lead a £30m redevelopment of the town’s Trinity South site.

The scheme will create 222 new family homes on a 13.1 acre site including part of the former Circatex factory site and the southern end of Frederick Street. It will also feature a landmark apartment building and a specially designed linear park.

Local ward members, Councillor Ed Malcolm and Councillor Lynne Proudlock, and Councillor Jim Foreman, Lead Member for Housing and Transport, visited the site with Keepmoat’s Ian Prescott and the HCA’s Martin Wilkes to mark the occasion.

Councillor Ed Malcolm, Lead Member for Resources and Innovation at South Tyneside Council, said: “This is another major step forward in our ambitious Riverside regeneration plans, bringing quality new homes, an improved environment, and increased footfall for shops in the northern part of Frederick Street.”

“The Council is driving major investments for the future right across the borough, and these are already making a difference locally with the hi-tech business development at One Trinity Green and the eco-homes at Sinclair Meadows both completed in the past year.”

The development will include 20 properties available for rent through South Tyneside Homes, with the remainder for sale through Keepmoat. Located close to the A194 and with easy access to the Metro, Trinity South will be an ideal location for many commuters and families.

Ian Prescott, Land and Partnerships Director at Keepmoat, said: “The proposed re-development of Trinity South will be a significant regeneration project for South Shields. Not only will it provide much needed high quality, new and affordable homes, it will also create employment and training opportunities for local people.

“We have worked closely with the Council, local residents and businesses to propose a development that meets the needs of the local community and the plans have been widely supported by members of the public.”

The £500,000 linear park will provide a new destination play facility, making the area more appealing for visitors and shoppers at Frederick Street, as well as creating better pedestrian links to the riverside. The development will meet level 3 of the Government’s Code for Sustainable Homes:

Councillor Jim Foreman, Lead Member for Housing and Transport at South Tyneside Council, said: “We are driving forward a series of schemes providing quality new homes right across the borough, to ensure that all residents have access to a decent home in a safe and stable neighbourhood. This project will build on the success of new homes at Cleadon Park, School Street and Sinclair Meadows.”

Martin Wilkes, Capital Development Manager at the Homes and Communities Agency, said: “I am really pleased that our partners have been able to appoint a developer who will bring this site to life. The new homes are great news for local people, providing a much needed boost to the area. Building homes to buy and to rent means that there will be excellent choice for everyone who wants to live in the area.”

Work is expected to start on site by summer 2013, and could be completed within six years.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by South Tyneside Council .