North Tyneside Council’s drive to build more affordable housing has hit a milestone, as the 500th home is built in the borough.
A former police station and temporary housing centre have been demolished to make way for 41 new affordable homes.
Located in the heart of Wallsend, the £4.2m development is part of the council’s ongoing work to create 3,000 affordable homes within 10 years, to meet the borough’s most urgent and future housing needs.
The development, on High Street East, includes a mix of 12 two-bedroom houses, 13 three-bedroom houses, 12 two-bedroom apartments and four one-bedroom apartments, complete with landscaping and parking.
After visiting the new development, North Tyneside Elected Mayor, Norma Redfearn said: “The regeneration of Wallsend is extremely important to the council and local people, and we’re working hard with our partners to transform the town. This includes creating more lovely homes for our residents to live in, as well as investing heavily in the town centre and the Swan’s site.
“The homes, which we worked with the local community to plan, look absolutely fantastic and I’m sure their new residents will be thrilled with them.”
Cllr John Harrison, cabinet member for Housing and Transport added: “Demand for affordable homes continues to rise in North Tyneside, which is why we’ve made a commitment to create 3,000 more with help from our partners.
“The 500th home being built is a real milestone in this project and I must thank everyone for their hard work.”
Kier North Tyneside has worked with North Tyneside Council to deliver the project on High Street East. Its director, Mike Furze commented: “We are delighted to have reached such a key milestone in this important project. It’s one of many significant achievements we are proud to have played a part in since forming our successful partnership with North Tyneside Council in 2009.
“The council has been one of several dynamic authorities who have taken immediate advantage of recent changes to the Housing Revenue Account, which enables councils to build new homes. And their new programme of home building, which targets the delivery of 3,000 new homes in the next ten years, is testament to the front-footed approach North Tyneside is taking to address the nationwide challenge of housing shortages.”
North Tyneside Council’s drive to create more affordable homes focuses on providing the types of homes that are most in demand, particularly one-bed properties, bungalows and family homes; the work will particularly support those who haven’t got the means to buy or rent a home on the open market.