Member Article

Developer appointed for 1,200-home Middlesbrough project

A developer has been appointed to progress a major housing development in a joint venture with Middlesbrough Council.

Taylor Wimpey has been selected as the preferred bidder from a number of applications to become the Council’s development partner for Hemlington Grange.

The appointment follows the launch of a competition in October, 2011, to further develop one of the council’s most significant land assets and a key part of its medium to long-term Capital Programme.

The site will be developed in a number of phases over the next ten to 15 years, with the first proposals likely to be considered by the Planning and Development Committee later this year.

Hemlington Grange is seen as an important part of Middlesbrough’s wider regeneration programme, and will help to improve the town’s overall housing offer.

The 57-hectare site to the south of Middlesbrough has been earmarked for high quality residential and commercial development within Middlesbrough Council’s Local Development Framework for a number of years.

Key features within the masterplan include:

• Aound 1,200 new homes and nine hectares of commercial development
• Affordable local housing
• Training and employment for local people
• Improved school provision
• Creation of a formal community park
• Cycleway and footpath network, with links to facilities in Coulby Newham and Hemlington

The development of the site will see Middlesbrough benefit from the proceeds of the land sale which will be reinvested to further improve the town, increased Council Tax revenue and New Homes Bonus payments over approximately six years.

Further public consultation will be carried out as part of the planning process, and local communities will also be asked for their views on how to spend a proposed £500,000 community regeneration budget that will be a financial obligation on the new development.

Councillor Charlie Rooney, Middlesbrough Council’s Executive Member for Regeneration and Economic Development, said: “Middlesbrough’s population has been in decline for decades and that has had an adverse effect on the town, with families and young professionals moving elsewhere.

“That’s why developments like Hemlington Grange have such a pivotal role to play in the future of the town and its on-going regeneration.

“Hemlington Grange will see the creation of a new residential community along with important local amenities and employment opportunities.”

A spokesman for Taylor Wimpey said: “Our approach to designing the scheme will ensure the creation of a unique and highly desirable living environment, including a wide expanse of usable open spaces within the design.

“The benefits of the project go significantly beyond simply the delivery of new homes. Taylor Wimpey greatly looks forward to engaging with the local community and economy to deliver a range of employment and community initiatives.”

At their first consultation event of two, Taylor Wimpey will reveal their initial masterplan for the scheme and hope to gain the thoughts and ideas of the local community in order that these opinions may help to develop the plans further.

The first consultation event will be held at Hemlington Initiative Centre on Cass House Road between 3pm and 7pm on Tuesday, October 8, and Thursday, October 10. A further session will take place at Stainton Memorial Hall on Tuesday, October 15 from 4.30pm to 7.30pm.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Martin Walker .