WIREDGOV

Work is set to start on new eco-friendly homes in Hartlepool’s Belle Vue area, following confirmation of £3m in funding from the Homes and Communities Agency.

The £9.25m scheme, led by Housing Hartlepool, will transform an area which forms a key gateway into the town, replacing unpopular housing with modern homes.

The announcement was welcomed by lifelong local resident and community activist Bob Farrow, who took the controls of the first demolition digger when the project got underway last year.

"It’s smashing news, and will have a great impact on the town," said Bob, who was born in nearby Borrowdale Street. "I hope we can get some of the old residents back and attract some new people into the area too. It’s not just about buildings, it’s about people – and the community spirit here is second to none."

The scheme is the latest in a series of Hartlepool-based projects supported by the Homes and Communities Agency, which is supporting the development of the town’s first new Council homes for decades at Charles Street, Seaton Lane and Kipling Road, as well as Housing Hartlepool’s development at Easington Road. It follows the unveiling of Housing Hartlepool’s striking new bungalows at nearby Laureate Close last month.

"These homes will be built to a high standard for green living, meaning less carbon emissions and lower fuel bills for residents," said Neil Cawson, Investment and Regeneration Manager at the Homes and Communities Agency. "Our role is all about helping councils and housing providers to make things happen in their own communities, and this is a great example of that local approach in action."

The site, which was identified as a key priority by both Hartlepool New Deal for Communities and the Central Hartlepool Partnership, has been the focus of a long-term commitment by Housing Hartlepool, Hartlepool Borough Council and local residents.

"We have been working closely with local residents for the past five years to get to this point and we are delighted that we are now able to get on site to make reality of the aspirations of the local community," said Colin  Wilson, Director or Regeneration at Housing Hartlepool. "This new development will radically improve the housing available in Belle Vue, which is a strategically important area for Hartlepool."

The scheme, which will be built by Frank Haslam Milan (FHM), will feature 84 properties in the first phase of development. A mixture of 2, 3 and 4-bed houses and 2 bed bungalows will include 39 homes for rent, and 30 for sale. Meanwhile, a further 15 will help local people onto the property ladder through intermediate rent and shared ownership options.

For more media information, contact Ben Landon, Communications Manager (North East), on 0191 497 7685 or ben.landon@hca.gsx.gov.uk; or Helen Logan for Housing Hartlepool on 01325 363 436.

Notes for editors: 

The Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) is the single, national housing and regeneration delivery agency for England.  Its vision is to create opportunity for people to live in homes they can afford in places they want to live, by enabling local authorities and communities to deliver the ambition they have for their own areas. 

Housing Hartlepool is the largest housing association in Hartlepool.
It was set up in March 2004 to take over the ownership and management of the Council's rented housing stock following a positive ballot by tenants. It is a "not for profit" charitable organisation.
Housing Hartlepool is run by a voluntary board that consists of four tenant members, four council nominees and four independent people.
The company manages 7,000 properties throughout the Hartlepool area and surrounding villages. These range from five-bedroom family houses to flats for single people. In addition there is a wide range of bungalows and sheltered housing complexes for the elderly.
In addition to its core landlord role Housing Hartlepool is also the main housing regeneration agent in the town and is developing much needed affordable homes in the area.
For more information, go to: www.housinghartlepool.org.uk