A LEADING social housing group has announced the completion of a £3.2m scheme to provide affordable family homes which will help bring an historic part of the North-East back to life.
North Star Housing has completed the first phase of its latest development by providing 16 high-quality family homes for rent at Pioneering Way, on Middlesbrough’s landmark Middlehaven site.
The ambitious scheme was supported by a Homes England Grant of £860k and was conducted in partnership with Middlesbrough Development Company. The homes were designed by Bright Ideas Consulting and Development Ltd.
Among the new residents is Viktoriia Nosatova, an English teacher who fled the war in Ukraine with her 81-year-old grandmother to join her mother in the UK. The three are now re-united and have moved into the property together. She said: “It’s a dream come true to be together again for Christmas.”
Also recently moved in are Sunday and Caroline Nebo, who are both carers at James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough. Caroline said: “We absolutely love our new home – North Star have made our Christmas.”
Sunday added: “Despite all that’s going on, North Star are still finding ways to help and house people. We can’t thank them enough.”
Anna Urbanowicz, chair of North Star’s board of trustees, said: “It’s great to see North Star building some fantastic new properties in town centre areas. It’s an excellent location in beautiful surroundings – modern, energy-efficient, and stylish. I’m very proud to see new residents coming in just before Christmas.”
Angela Lockwood, chief executive officer of North Star, said: “We’re overjoyed to successfully complete these 16 houses, which are already welcoming their first residents.
“Feedback from the families has been very positive, and we’re seeing a lot of demand for these properties. It’s been a pleasure to deliver these homes in association with our partners.
“We hope our residents will be very happy here and enjoy a very merry Christmas in their new homes. We wish them every success for the future.”
The homes feature a modern urban design, spacious internal layout, external space with a private turfed garden and parking, energy-efficient design with electric renewable heating system, and provision for super-fast broadband.
The next phase of the project will begin in the new year, with six apartments added to the riverside site.
The latest development complements nine two-bedroomed homes, in Pioneering Way, which were delivered by North Star in 2015.
Middlesbrough’s elected Mayor Andy Preston, who visited the development to meet families, said: “Middlesbrough is transforming for the better – and these affordable new homes in the historic heart of our town are flag bearers for the amazing progress that’s going on here.
“We’re bringing this previously derelict area of the town back to life with beautiful homes, state-of-the-art offices, incredible college projects and a new school, while we’ve also moved to protect our oldest pub and old town hall.
“Now local people can look forward to living here and being part of this historic transformation. I look forward to meeting the first residents soon.”
Tony Dodds, Managing Director at Middlesbrough Development Company said: “‘Middlesbrough Development Company is proud to have delivered this attractive development of 16 new homes for Middlehaven in partnership with North Star and other housing providers.
“The regeneration of this part of Middlesbrough is a key goal for the Council and this scheme is only the start of great things to come for the area.”
Martin Hawthorne, Managing Director at Bright Ideas said: “Bright Ideas Consulting is delighted that the first North Star residents are now moving into this stylish and eye-catching scheme.
“We designed the homes to be energy efficient, have a low carbon output and to be a lovely place to live. We are proud to be part of the team which is helping regenerate the area with partners like North Star and Middlesbrough Development company.”