Member Article

£12 million landscaping project to boost Tees Valley communities

Social enterprise Groundwork NE & Cumbria has been appointed as the Thirteen Group’s landscaping consultant, to assist in the delivery of more than £4.6 million of environmental improvements in Stockton, Middlesbrough and Hartlepool in 2014-2015, as part of a £12 million package over five years across the group.

Groundwork NE & Cumbria is dedicated to improving the lives of people living across the North of England and the latest multi-million pound partnership will benefit multiple neighbourhoods across the Tees Valley.

The plans include a major remodelling of estates and the creation of communal outdoor spaces, off-street parking and allotments in areas where thousands of residents of Erimus Housing, Housing Hartlepool, Tees Valley Housing and Tristar Homes, the partner landlords in the Thirteen Group, live.

Groundwork NE & Cumbria chief executive, Kate Culverhouse, said: “This is a significant contract which has the ability to make a substantial positive impact on people’s lives and the areas surrounding their homes.

“Groundwork has forged a strong track record of partnership working, coming up with innovative solutions and involving residents in programmes to enhance their environment and communities.”

Deputy chief executive of the Thirteen Group, Cath Purdy, said: “It’s a long-term investment for us, and it means we can give our residents the same high standard of sustainable surroundings that they already enjoy inside their homes.

“One of key the objectives we need to work up with Groundwork NE is to develop a five year plan of work. This will need to include contractor appointments via a tendering exercise and opportunities for training and employment initiatives.

“This work will transform sites around the region, many of which are neglected and of no use to the community.

“This partnership will include working with thousands of residents and getting their opinions on how to transform these sites with imagination and innovation.

“This is also an opportunity to shape the future for these estates so we will be working closely with schools and colleges to help us build a lasting legacy for generations to come.”

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