£1.7m project for affordable homes will be discussed

Members of Stockton Borough Council's cabinet will consider plans for a proposed social housing development at Low Grange Court.

The development would be created in partnership with the Tees Valley Housing Group and would form part of plans to provide affordable homes in the borough.

The four blocks of flats which used to be at Low Grange Court were in poor condition and suffered from low demand.

There was also a surplus of one-bedroomed flats in the area.

Residents living in the flats have been rehoused and the blocks were demolished in March.

A report to the cabinet meeting, which takes place on Thursday, said: "The Housing Needs Study (2000) highlighted a shortage of affordable housing in Billingham, the proposed scheme will go some way to meeting this shortage.

"A bid was made to the Housing Corporation in November 2002 for Social Housing Grant funding of £1.7m to be provided by the Approved Development Programme.

"Confirmation the funding application had been successful was confirmed in March."

The proposal for Low Grange Court, which councillors have been asked to support, includes, 17 two-bedroomed houses, 21 three-bedroomed and two two-bedroomed wheelchair bungalows.

Tees Valley Housing hopes to be on site by next January with the scheme being completed by January 2005.

The report said: "Residents living in the surrounding area have received a newsletter advising that funding has been provided for the scheme to go ahead.

"It is intended a consultation day will be held during July to give residents the opportunity to provide feedback on the proposals.

"All residents will be asked to complete a questionnaire on the design of the new scheme and the results will be fed back into the final design brief for the new development."

Households are also being sent an information pack outlining plans for the regeneration of Billingham, called Gateway to the Future.

The brochure includes a freepost form for feedback.