Member Article

North Star completes £6m Darlington housing development

North Star Housing Group has opened a new, large-scale £6m housing project in Darlington.

Minors Crescent, Cockerton has involved both the regeneration of existing properties and the development of new affordable homes.

The scheme has seen the demolition of 76 council-owned properties to make way for 80 new family homes, bungalows and apartments. Fifty-six of these homes are owned and managed by Endeavour Housing Association, which is part of North Star Housing Group, and are available for rent.

Angela Lockwood, chief executive of North Star Housing Group, said: “We are delighted to have completed this development and to have worked in partnership with Darlington Borough Council, Esh and the Homes and Communities Agency to bring much needed, high quality, affordable properties to Cockerton. Our tenants have new homes that they can be proud of and we wish them all the best.

“At North Star, we are committed to providing great homes for local people and passionate about supporting local communities to thrive. We hope that this new development will help grow a strong sense of community and long-term sustainability in the area.”

Environmentally friendly and economic to run, the Minors Crescent homes cater for the needs of local families and are located near local schools, amenities and key transport facilities. The scheme also involved the refurbishment of 142 homes owned by Darlington Borough Council.

Twenty-four new build properties at West Park Grange have been sold through Dunelm Homes, part of Esh Group.

David Halfacre, chairman of Esh Property Services, said: “This project has been a tremendous example of what can be achieved when a group of like-minded people get together to improve local housing; it’s been a pleasure to work with Darlington Borough Council, North Star Housing Group and Dunelm Homes on this scheme.

“The regeneration and rejuvenation of Cockerton, an important area of Darlington, has been a real success. Families who have lived here for many years are being joined by others and a new community is being created. We’d like to wish them all very many happy years in their improved and new homes.”

Veronica Copeland, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Housing at Darlington Borough Council, officially opened the scheme by unveiling a special plaque.

She said: “This has been a great development and given an economic lift to the whole area. Millions of pounds have been invested in this regeneration and we are grateful for the contributions made by our partners.

I am particularly interested in the community development work which will encourage all residents to have a say about the development and also take an interest in caring for the environment.“

An £840k grant for the scheme was awarded to Esh Group by the Homes & Communities Agency (HCA).

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