Member Article

First home completed in £350 million project

The first home in an ambitious, £350 million programme designed to transform the quality and choice of housing in the North East has been completed and officially opened.

Cllr. Malcolm Graham, Gateshead Council Cabinet Member for Housing screwed the number to the door of the four bedroomed house at The Sycamores in Birtley.

Commenting on the milestone in what is a 20 year initiative to regenerate 19 sites across the borough, delivering over 2,400 new homes for private sale and affordable tenures, he said: “This is a fantastic home, but it’s much more than that. It’s the first tangible result of a massive project that will deliver thousands of high quality new homes for sale, homes for shared ownership and homes for social rent in communities right across Gateshead.”

The project, which will also create community facilities and public spaces designed to help promote sustainable and long lasting communities is being driven by the Gateshead Regeneration Partnership (GRP), which comprises the council, Galliford Try Partnerships and Home Group.

Some of the UK’s most innovative residential architects were commissioned to deliver strikingly designed properties which will provide a step-change in the quality of housing.

Around a quarter of the new homes will be for rent or shared ownership. Home Group. Chairman Bob Davies, commented: “I’m delighted to see the first homes of this ambitious project being completed. The partners have come together to share their expertise which will result in thousands of homes for people throughout the borough.

“This includes those who want to buy outright, for those who rent and help others get onto the property ladder through shared ownership. Just as importantly, the project will help to regenerate neighbourhoods and create thriving communities – something Home Group has been committed to on Tyneside for more than 75 years.”

Galliford Try is constructing the homes and its housebuilding division – Linden Homes - will market the properties for sale. Stephen McCoy, Managing Director with Galliford Try Partnerships North, said: “We are extremely excited to be involved in this fantastic project. We believe this first home makes a clear statement about what the partnership plans to provide in terms of space and specification.”

The home in question is a view home is on a development known as The Sycamores, off Mount Pleasant Road in Birtley. This site will eventually feature 192 three and four bedroomed semi and detached homes for sale and shared ownership.

Tiered gardens make the best possible use of the naturally sloping site - maximising views over the countryside and to the Angel of the North. A landscaped wildlife corridor – with a well equipped children’s play area - will run the length of the development.

Other GRP schemes in the pipeline are at Saltwell Road West, where 99 homes, mainly for first and second time buyers but with 21 for social rent, will be constructed and at Avon Street in Deckham where 16 affordable rental units will be managed and maintained by Home Group.

All the homes will exceed current space and design standards and will be delivered to achieve, as a minimum, level 4 of the Code for Sustainable Homes. They also meet Lifetime Homes, Secure by Design and Homes and Community Association standards.

Such is the scope of this innovative and groundbreaking project that before a brick had been laid it was named as the Best Public/Private Partnership in the Local Government Chronicle Awards.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Paul Dobbie .