Green light for Stockton Northshore scheme

The first phase of a multi-million pound mixed-use development on Stockton's Northshore is set to start this autumn following confirmation of £2.6 million in funding from the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA).

The Home Zone at Northshore will comprise an initial phase of fifty homes, incorporating exciting design features such as roof terraces and courtyards with views of the River Tees.

The former heavy industrial and shipbuilding site close to Stockton town centre has been the subject of a major remediation programme supported by the Homes and Communities Agency, Tees Valley Unlimited, Stockton Borough Council and One North East, and already features the award-winning Infinity Bridge.

Following the confirmation of funding, project leaders at Tees Valley Unlimited have announced that Muse Developments (part of the Northshore Development Partnership), will now obtain final approvals prior to starting on site. The 3.4 hectare development will kick-start the development of the wider Northshore mixed-use scheme, which could see the creation of up to 999 homes.

'The HCA has already invested over £20 million on preparing the site for development, and this new funding will help to unlock the area's potential," said Pat Ritchie, North East Director of the Homes and Communities Agency. "Northshore can now play a key role in bringing quality homes, jobs and opportunities to Stockton and the wider Tees Valley.'

The scheme is the latest in a series of local projects supported by the Homes and Communities Agency, which recently confirmed £2.46 million in funding to help Stockton Council develop an Extra Care housing facility for older people in nearby Thornaby.

Richard Buckley, Director of Delivery at Tees Valley Unlimited, which is leading the Home Zone and overall Northshore scheme, said: "The announcement of funding from HCA to facilitate this development is great and we look forward to working closely with Northshore Development Partnership to progress its proposals in the near future"

'This is the first major element of the scheme to begin but there are many other exciting plans for the site, all of which will transform an underused pocket of prime riverside land into a thriving mixed-use development, bringing with it jobs and investment.'

The homes have been designed by Impromptu Architects in collaboration with Sergison Bates, who were chosen after winning an international design competition which sought to challenge traditional housing design. The first phase includes a mix of two, three and four bedroom homes.

The Northshore Home Zone is being brought to life by Muse Developments, part of the Northshore Development Partnership and one of the country's leading mixed-use regeneration specialists, working with partners Lovell.

Simon Dew of Muse Developments said: 'The Northshore site on the banks of the River Tees has tremendous potential.'

'The first phase of Home Zone reflects the ambitions of the partners to deliver a project which will re-orientate the town with the river and, we hope, be the catalyst for further investment to the area.'

The overall Northshore scheme, led by Tees Valley Unlimited, Stockton Borough Council, the Homes and Communities Agency and One North East, has the potential to create 4,500 new jobs in addition to the homes.

The Northshore Masterplan was granted approval by Stockton Borough Council last August, while the first phase of housing was approved earlier this year.

Future plans include new offices, homes, shops, hotels, restaurants, bars, cafes, leisure facilities and a new campus for the University of Durham.

Councillor Ken Lupton, Leader of Stockton Borough Council, said: 'This is such an important area of land to the town and its riverside and its potential really is massive. I am delighted that funding has been confirmed for this important development and hope that work will start on the first phase of the Home Zone in the near future and in turn kick-start the regeneration of the entire site.'

For more media information, contact Ben Landon, Regional Communications Manager, on 0191 497 7685 or ben.landon@hca.gsx.gov.uk; or Leanne English, Marketing Manager at Tees Valley Unlimited, on 01642 632 013, 07725 602 824 or email leanne.english@teesvalleyunlimited.gov.uk.

Ends

Notes to 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.

Tees Valley Unlimited (TVU) is a partnership between the five Tees Valley Councils, regional regeneration bodies and business leaders to drive forward the future development of the Tees Valley economy.

Further information on TVU activities can be accessed via the following URL: http://www.teesvalleyunlimited.gov.uk