Member Article

Work starts on new homes for Gateshead

Leader of Gateshead Council, Mick Henry, today officially started work on the first new homes to be constructed as part of a major regeneration project in the Bensham and Saltwell area.

The first 99 high quality houses to be built, off Saltwell Road, will be three and four bedroomed homes, which will surpass all national standards for space and energy efficiency. There will be 76 for sale and 23 affordable homes.

The first homes are expected to be completed by the autumn of 2015 with sale prices for these contemporary properties being around the average cost for a house in the North East - £156,000 according to the Office of National Statistics.

Cllr. Mick Henry said: “These new homes are the first real result of this hugely significant regeneration project. They will create the choice and the variety of homes that this area so desperately needs. Tyneside flats are great for some people but they can’t provide an ideal home for everyone. With these new homes, people will have a real opportunity to stay in the area as their family grows.

“Reaching this day has taken longer than anyone wanted, particularly local residents; but we should not underestimate just how important this milestone is for Bensham and Saltwell.”

The site off Saltwell Road was formerly occupied by Tyneside flats but was cleared some years ago. Later phases of construction in Bensham and Saltwell will see new homes built on two other sites, currently being cleared.

The homes are being constructed by Gateshead Regeneration Partnership, a unique combination of house builder Galliford Try, affordable landlord Home Group and Gateshead Council. The award winning partnership will build 2,400 new homes on 19 sites, right across Gateshead, up to 2030.

The development off Saltwell Road has been made possible due to over £750,000 financial support from the Homes and Communities Agency for the first phase.

The branding on the site will be that of Galliford Try’s award-winning housebuilding division, Linden Homes, which will market the properties for sale.

Stephen McCoy, Managing Director with Galliford Try Partnerships North, said: “We look forward to improving the quality and choice of homes available for people in this area. The partnership’s brief was to raise the bar in terms of the housing offer and we are confident that the size, specification and style of these homes will impress.”

Brian Ham, Home Group Executive Director of Enterprise and Development, said: “This regeneration scheme will transform the quality of housing across Gateshead for those who want to buy or rent. We’re thrilled to see work start on site here today. Home Group has been providing homes for people on Tyneside for more than 75 years and we’re delighted to offer some of these homes to local people for affordable rent.”

Victoria Keen, Area Manager at the Homes and Communities Agency said: “The start of these new homes marks a real change for Bensham, we have spent several years working with our partners to make sure that local people have the family homes they need to help make sure that the communities of Saltwell and Bensham continue to thrive.”

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