This new £4m development of affordable homes is being built on a key site in Tyne Dock in South Shields.
Housing association Isos is building 37 homes in a great location, on the site of the former St Mary’s CofE Primary School and the adjacent St Mary’s Centre.
The development will be made up of 31 family homes alongside six bungalows for older residents.
The new homes were designed by Norr Consultants and have been approved by the North East Design Review Panel.
The layout of the forward looking project uses the ‘Home Zone’ principles to ensure all the homes are easily accessible, and the site is pedestrian and cycle friendly, with traffic calming measures throughout.
The main contractor is Gus Robinson and the first homes are expected to be ready for residents by Spring 2018.
The Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) has contributed £851,000 towards the total £4m cost.
Isos is also investing in artwork to create an ‘entrance feature’ at the access into the new homes on Lord Nelson Street in Tyne Dock.
This new development by Isos Housing is just the latest to be brought forward by the association in the South Tyneside area.
Elsewhere in the borough, the landlord has recently completed 18 new flats on Temple Park Road in South Shields, and work is also progressing well on a project to build 11 new homes in Boldon Colliery, adding up to a total investment of £4m.
A short distance from the Tyne Dock site is the Cleadon Park regeneration scheme where Isos delivered 246 affordable homes in partnership with Bellway Homes and South Tyneside Council.
Lea Smith, development and regeneration manager for Isos Housing, who is project managing the building of the new homes, said: “This is an important site for Isos, in a great location for local employment centres, and easily accessible for the main road into South Shields.
“We’re really pleased to be working alongside South Tyneside Council to bring forward another development in the borough, and make a contribution to tackling local housing needs.”
Councillor Allan West, Lead Member for Housing and Transport, said: "By working effectively with our partners we are fulfilling our ambitions to provide high quality housing for our residents.
“Creating the right mix of housing is essential for successful economic regeneration and plays a key role in creating a brighter future for local people.”
Stephen Bell, managing director of Gus Robinson Developments Ltd, said: “We are delighted to be working with Isos on the former St Mary’s School site.
“Having identified this potential opportunity, the Gus Robinson team worked with Isos to create a mix of house types which met local housing need whilst also creating what we hope will be an attractive place to live.
“Over the last few years, Gus Robinson Developments have developed an enviable track record of delivering some of the finest affordable housing projects throughout the North East.”