Member Article

Local people and suppliers benefit from multi-million pound regeneration scheme

An initiative to give local trades people the opportunity to work on a multi-million pound regeneration scheme in South Shields has been hailed a success after a number of local businesses were appointed to the project.

National housing and regeneration specialist, Keepmoat has appointed a number of South Tyneside or nearby Sunderland based sub contractors to work on its Trinity South development - a £30 million housing scheme located on the southern half of Frederick Street.

By working in partnership with South Tyneside Council, Keepmoat held a ‘meet the buyer’ event to find local suppliers to work on the project, which is creating over 200 new family homes in a five to six year period as part of a major regeneration plan for the area.

The event was held at One Trinity Green, adjacent to the site, and aimed to attract local trades to bid for work on the development.

Ian Prescott, Land and Partnership’s Director at Keepmoat, said: “The aim of the ‘meet the buyer’ event was to offer local firms the opportunity to network and make new contacts but also find out about upcoming contracts and opportunities and how to access our local supply chain.

“Our work is not just about building new homes but creating and sustaining local communities.

“We achieve this by working with local sub-contractors and people, ensuring the investment in these areas benefits those living there and the communities they serve.”

The event was very well attended and a number of businesses expressed interest in becoming an approved supplier to enable them to bid for work.

Local trades that have since been successfully appointed to work on the development at Trinity South include Groundwork South Tyneside Landscaping, Shaun Mathias Painting and Decorating, Wear Cleaning Services, John Flowers Roofing, ITC Plumbing and Heating and James Ingleford Scaffolding.

In addition to local suppliers, four local apprentices have also been taken on by Keepmoat or their sub-contractors as part of their commitment to investing in the South Shields area.

Ian continued: “At Keepmoat we have a commitment to use local suppliers and trades wherever possible and we’re always looking for new ways to find them. We were pleased to be able to work in partnership with South Tyneside Council who share our ethos of investing in the South Tyneside area and we will certainly consider taking this approach with any other local projects we have in the future.”

Councillor Ed Malcolm, who represents the Simonside and Rekendyke ward, said: “I’m delighted to see that Keepmoat’s work with local businesses is making a real, practical difference on the ground. We have worked hard together to create quality new homes, but this also shows that renewal projects can bring new jobs and skills to the area.

“As a Council, we are working hard to help local businesses to win more public sector contracts, and we have increased the proportion of our spending that goes to local businesses from 32% to 45% in the past three years. It’s great to see Keepmoat showing the same commitment to the local economy.”

Work is already well under way on the section close to Reed and Eldon Streets and Keepmoat recently unveiled two new show homes at the development for prospective buyers to view plans and find out more information.

Trinity South will also see the creation of a new landmark apartment building in a prominent location close to Western Approach, as well as a unique linear park with play facilities, making the area more appealing for visitors and shoppers and improving pedestrian links to the river.

The development will ultimately bring 222 two, three and four bedroom family homes, including 20 affordable homes, which will be available to rent through South Tyneside Homes. All homes will achieve Level 3 of the Government’s Code for Sustainable Homes, making them greener than is required by building regulations.

The new homes have also been designed to meet the Homes and Communities Design Quality Standards, meaning that they will be significantly larger than the properties house builders usually construct for first-time buyers.

In addition to the development at Trinity South, Keepmoat has also just commenced construction on two more new housing developments in the town.

The Wynde is a £4m development located off the Wynde on the Parkway Estate and will consist of 32 two and three-bedroom homes for sale. Derwent Avenue in Hebburn is a £1.3m project consisting of 12 two bedroom bungalows for rent through Isos Housing.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ailsa Macmillan .