A MAJOR investment by a housing association to boost the number of affordable homes for over-55s in a North-East town has been welcomed by an MP.

Hartlepool MP Jill Mortimer described two multi-million pound developments by North Star Housing as “absolutely vital”.

North Star is investing £3.2m in a new-build development of 17 bungalows, including two which are fully wheelchair accessible, in Tanfield Road, Hartlepool. A further £2.5m is being invested in 12 bungalows, two of which are fully wheelchair compliant, in Wynyard Road.

Officially launching the Tanfield Road site, Mrs Mortimer said: “I welcome any investment in Hartlepool but I particularly welcome investment that’s targeted in such a way, with affordable bungalows and disabled units being so important to the mix of housing available in the town.

“It’s great to be bringing a brownfield site back to use, and recycling materials in such an effective way.

“North Star is a fabulous organisation. It could have easily gone for houses and more density on the site, but has instead chosen bungalows that are meeting a particular need. It’s not just about maximising the commercial potential, it’s about focusing on the needs of the community, and that’s refreshing to see.”

The site was a former garden centre and café, and North Star won a tender to buy it from Hartlepool Borough Council in 2020. A Homes England grant of £773,000 is supporting the redevelopment, which began in April, and is scheduled to be completed in May 2024.

All of the bungalows are two-bedroom with private rear gardens and parking. They are designed to be spacious, light and thermally efficient, with some featuring electric car charging. They will be allocated at an affordable rent of around £125 a week for people over 55.

While two of the bungalows are being built to accommodate wheelchair-users, they will all be easily accessible and adaptable. As well as individual gardens, there will also be attractive communal planting within the courtyard development.

The project team comprises: contractors T. Manners & Sons Ltd; architect HMH Architects; structural engineer Billinghurst George & Partners; and RNJ Partnership LLP acting as principal designer, employers’ agent and clerk of works.

North Star chair Anna Urbanowicz said: “We are delighted to see work underway on such an important development in partnership with other organisations, providing wheelchair-friendly, affordable housing for the over-55s. It’s a wonderful way to bring a brownfield site back to life, meeting an important need in the community.”

Simon Manners, managing director of T. Manners & Sons, said: “It’s great to be involved in this scheme in partnership with North Star to deliver high quality sustainable homes to Hartlepool that as well as giving residents a great place to live will improve the local area transforming this brownfield site.”

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Councillor Mike Young, Leader of Hartlepool Borough Council, said: “As an authority, we have an on-going commitment to increase the affordable housing options available to local people.

“I welcome the investment by North Star Housing which is great news for the town. When complete, the 29 bungalows at Tanfield Road and Wynyard Road will help to address a specific need for affordable, accessible homes for the over-55s.”

The Wynyard Road development, which has also attracted a £766,000 grant from Homes England, is due to be completed in April next year.

The developments are part of a commitment by North Star to build 75 new homes a year.