Building work is now complete on the former Abbeyhill school site in Stockton for 12 new homes.
The £1.3 million development, partly funded by the Homes and Communities Agency, is owned and managed by local Housing Association, North Star, and comprises eight two-bedroomed houses and four bungalows.
The scheme, built by local firm Gus Robinson Developments, brings much needed
specialist accommodation to the area, with several of the new homes designed to
meet the needs of elderly and disabled residents.
Not only do the 12 new homes provide those residents with the opportunity to retain
their independence in their very own homes, but the development has also given
pupils from a local school the chance to gain new skills.
Local pupils from Frederick Nattrass Primary School got the opportunity to develop
their understanding of the processes and skills involved in the development of new
homes. Pupils learnt about the design, planning and construction processes, with the
opportunity to draw their own designs, as well as being able to visit the site and
experience property development first hand at key stages of the build.
Paul Green, Development Officer at North Star, said: “Our new development on the
former Abbeyhill school site in Stockton cements our commitment to creating homes
and building futures for those living in our communities.
“Not only are we providing future-proofed homes that are specially adapted to the
needs of elderly and disabled residents, but we also have given local pupils the
opportunity to learn, develop and grow.”
Brian Rose, Technical Co-ordinator for Gus Robinson Developments Ltd, said: “This
has been a year-long scheme, and the children from Frederick Nattrass School have
been involved throughout that time.
“We have invited them onto the site whenever possible, or to watch from the safety
of the school grounds. Myself and Paul Green, from North Star, also spent an
afternoon in the school giving the children projects based around the site.
“We have a very strong community ethos within Gus Robinson Developments Ltd,
and projects such as this where we can work closely with a school highlight that. It is
very important that we engage with our neighbours, and the feedback from the staff
and children has been fantastic.”
Councillor Mike Smith, Stockton-on- Tees Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for
Environment and Housing, said: “This new development complements the thriving
regeneration of Norton Park and I’ve no doubt that both will very popular with
residents.
“The development is also helping to support people to live independently and enjoy
full integration with their local community. To have local schoolchildren from
Frederick Nattrass Primary Academy involved in learning more about the house
building process is great to see and I’m sure they took a lot from it and understand
more about the ideas and benefits of new developments and the communities that
grow alongside them.”
For more information on North Star visit www.northstarhg.co.uk.