Keepmoat to deliver 450 new homes across Gateshead

Published by Craig Downs for Keepmoat in Housing and also in Communities

Award winning housing developer, Keepmoat is continuing to strengthen its presence across Gateshead, with the delivery of almost 450 new homes in a number of key regeneration projects across the Borough.

The company has recently completed a flagship new development of 148 new homes in Kibblesworth in partnership with Keelman Homes, a subsidiary of The Gateshead Housing Company. The £14m development started in 2010 and includes a mix of two, three and four bedroom homes for sale and affordable rents, which have replaced the 1940’s prefabricated houses previously located on the site, which had fallen below the Government’s Decent Homes Standard.

Keepmoat is currently working on four new housing developments acrossGatesheadto help regenerate communities within the Borough. The developments include the construction of 26 homes for sale at Regency Square in Crawcrook and a further nine units for affordable rent, on behalf of Tees Valley Housing. Less than a mile away is St. Agnes, a development of 17 two and three bedroom homes for sale, along with three units for affordable rent, on behalf of social landlord, Vela.

The Woodlands development, based in the village of High Spen, offers 25 two and three bedroom homes for sale and four homes for affordable rent, while also in partnership with Vela, work has commenced on a sheltered accommodation block at Sunhill in Sunniside, which will provide 28 apartments for older persons.

Meanwhile, Keepmoat are pleased to have become the preferred developer for the prestigious development of Ravensworth Road in Dunston, located on the site of the former Dunston rocket, which will provide 47 apartments for older people, 45 two and three bedroom homes, a new GP surgery and retail outlets. 

And, there are further developments planned, with Gateshead Council’s Planning and Development Committee recently approving plans for the development of four new sites across the Borough.

These latest approved schemes will see Keepmoat working in partnership with Tees Valley Housing, part of Fabrick Housing Group, to deliver much needed affordable housing acrossGateshead. The schemes include 50 two, three and four-bedroom homes for affordable rent and shared-ownership at Stephenson Terrace in Felling; 16 two-bedroom homes for affordable rent at Mary Avenue in Birtley; 15 two and three-bedroom homes for affordable rent in Blaydon and 14 homes for older people at Harlow Green including 8 two bedroom bungalows and 6 apartments.

The four new schemes, which are all expected to start on site this month, will not only see the construction of new homes but will also sustain and create new job opportunities for local people.

Richard Bass, New Build Managing Director for Keepmoat North East said: “We are delighted to have received planning approval for four new schemes bringing Keepmoat’s total number of developments withinGatesheadto ten.Gatesheadis a key area for us and it is a real success that we are able to deliver a range of homes across the Borough, working closely with the council and other key partners.”

“The development of these schemes not only strengthens our presence but also helps to address the significant shortage of good quality, affordable family homes inGateshead.  As well as helping local families in housing need, these projects will create training and employment opportunities for local people and also generate a number of new construction jobs.”

Gateshead Council cabinet member for housing, Cllr Catherine Donovan, said: “Demand for affordable homes has probably never been stronger and projects like these are vital to meeting that demand. Each of these projects will make a positive impact on the communities they serve for decades to come and regenerate neighbourhoods right across the borough. At a time when we hear so much about the current economic climate preventing work like this, it is great to see another Gatesheadsuccess story.”