News
Find out the latest news and events from Spirit.
Youngsters make their mark on new housing development.
Coast & Country has given youngsters at an Ormesby school the opportunity to make their artistic mark on a new housing development.
Children from St Gabriel’s School, Ormesby, have worked with local artist Glynis Johnson to create mosaic tiles focusing on four subjects – people, places, homes and gardens.
Each child designed their own tile and now all of the pieces have been set together in to a colourful mosaic which will form part of a commemorative stone for the Rosewood Close development in Ormesby.
Here 18 high quality new homes have been built of with six available for purchase through a shared ownership scheme.
Head teacher Michelle Ryan, said: “The children have really enjoyed taking part in this imaginative artistic project. Thanks to Coast & Country they were given the fantastic experience of working alongside a professional artist. They are also really excited about the fact that their work is going to be a permanent and prominent feature of this new housing development. “
Iain Sim, Coast & Country chief executive, said: “We see local community involvement as extremely important on all our development schemes. The ideas, which the 156 pupils at St Gabriel’s have come up for the mosaic, are wonderful and it will be an artistic asset to Rosewood Close for many years to come. These children should be proud of what they have achieved”
April 16th 2008Coast & Country Housing is heading a North East consortium of social housing landlords which will bring major benefits for tens of thousands of tenants in the region.
The Government has now approved NE Procurement’s business plan which means it can use the collective purchasing power of its ten member companies to deliver substantial cost savings
The consortium’s project manager is Steve O’Leary, who is head of procurement at Coast & Country. He said: “Put simply, we can say to a supplier of heating systems – for example – that we want to buy on behalf of a number of companies, not just one. It’s not quite ‘buy two, get one free’, but the same principle applies.” The consortium, which has a combined spending power of £700 million, anticipates it will cut costs by 10% through collective purchasing.
As well as cutting costs, NE Procurement will offer job opportunities throughout the North East. Mr O’Leary said: “This was a key part of our business plan. It means if there are not vacancies for apprentices in one area, they can go to train and work in another. Or it might be a condition of the contract that the supplier has to take on two apprentices for every million pounds worth of business.”
NE Procurement is also determined to involve tenants in purchasing decisions. More than 100 tenants representing each member organisation took part in three supplier days in Newcastle. They evaluated products, interviewed suppliers and recommended which materials should be used in some of the 115000 properties managed by the consortium’s companies.
As well as Coast & Country, which has more than 10,000 homes in the Redcar and Cleveland area, the other members of the consortium are Blyth Homes, Dale and Valley Homes, Derwentside Homes, Erimus Housing, Housing Hartlepool, South Tyneside Homes, Tees Valley Housing, Three Rivers Housing and Your Homes, Newcastle. Other organisations have expressed an interest in joining.
Mr O’Leary said: “Naturally there was a bit of reluctance to share sensitive financial information when the consortium was first established. But everybody now sees the huge benefit this can bring about.”
There are currently nine similar consortia in the UK, although the Government wants that to grow to 30. NE Procurement is the third biggest. They were established in the wake of Sir Peter Gershon’s report, published four years ago, which called for dramatic savings in public sector expenditure.
Their development and performance is monitored by the Government’s
Department of Communities and Local Government. It will ensure
that the consortium remains effective and delivers its objectives
of 10% savings together with its employment and training objectives.
Coast & Country says the decision to give the go-ahead to 25 new homes in Guisborough is fantastic news for families in the town and is the result of a multi-million pound investment.
Planning consent has been agreed for twenty five three-bedroom houses to be built on land near Woodhouse Road. Work will start as early as next month, with the first homes ready to move into early next year.
Iain Sim, Chief Executive said: “This is a very exciting development and represents inward investment of around £2 million. Guisborough, quite rightly, is a very popular place to live. But because of that prices are high and it is difficult to get that all-important first foot on the property ladder. “
To help families, 13 of the houses are being offered as shared ownership through the Company’s Times4 brand. Shared-ownership enables the cost of the home to be split between a proportion of the mortgage as well as rent. As a result families who fall outside the mortgage market are given a helping hand to buy a home of their own in the area they have lived for most of their lives.
Redcar and Cleveland Council Leader Councillor George Dunning welcomed the scheme. He said: 'This form of spilt ownership allows people who would not normally be able to get on the housing ladder to receive a leg up into home ownership, which they may never have got if these schemes were not available.'
Iain Sim said: “There has probably not been a more difficult time to take out a mortgage, but – for many people – that dream of home ownership is as strong as ever. Not only does Times4 help local people achieve that ambition, it will also provide them with an affordable home of very high quality.”
Julie Jacques, Head of Investment for the Housing Corporation in the North East, which helped fund the Guisborough development and other affordable housing schemes across the region, said: “This is excellent news for families in Guisborough and demonstrates that good quality housing in very popular areas can be made affordable for people either through rent or shared ownership.”
Coast & Country is investing tens of millions of pounds on a number of development projects across Redcar and Cleveland from the Westfield Estate in Loftus to Norham Walk, Ormesby through the regeneration of estates and the construction of new homes.
April 16th 2008Coast & Country tenants, who had been living in prefab bungalows, are likely to cut hundreds of pounds a year from their bills thanks to a state-of-the-art heating system.
Coast & Country is now moving them from their old prefabs into 25 brand new bungalows at Meadowfields Close in Marske. The move has coincided with a severe cold snap and a sharp rise in gas and electricity prices. But it is estimated that the tenants could actually save up to a thousand pounds a year on their bills.
Coast & Country provided an extra £100,000 for a ground source heating system for the bungalows, which converts heat from the earth into a highly efficient energy supply. Not only will the tenants’ homes be powered economically, but the system is also extremely eco-friendly. It is estimated that the average annual carbon dioxide emissions will be reduced from 12.6 tonnes per prefab to 1.3 tonnes per new bungalow. Or, put another way, the amount of carbon dioxide produced by the prefabs was enough to fill 68 double-decker buses. Emissions from the new bungalows would fill just seven.
The prefabs, which were built after the war to house soldiers returning home, had a variety of different heating systems, including night store heaters and electric panel convector heaters. They cost around £1400 and £1700 per year to run. The heating system for the bungalows will reduce bills to between £500 and £600.
Norman and Ethel Evans lived in their prefab for nine years. They have now moved into their new home. Norman said: “We had night storage heaters which meant it was very hot during day but cooled down very quickly in the evening. In fact it was so hot we had to have windows and doors open, even in the winter. At night I would go to bed really early – about eight o’clock – just to keep warm.”
Iain Sim, Chief Executive said: “There are so many things which are better in their new bungalows compared to the prefabs. Fuel poverty is a major issue in this country and we think the extra investment we made, to provide affordable and clean energy, is money well spent. The development at East Meadows demonstrates our commitment to improving the lives of people throughout Redcar and Cleveland.”
The prefabs were described as “Homes for Heroes”, but only meant to have a lifespan of ten years. Despite their age and the problems and expense of keeping them repaired and heated, a strong community developed and the tenants of Coast & Country were initially reluctant to move.
However, detailed consultation, the quality of the new bungalows and a promise to keep neighbours together convinced tenants that the move was to their benefit. The development is being carried out in phases, so that tenants can remain in their old homes until their new ones are ready. Coast & Country’s development partner Yuill Homes worked closely with tenants to ensure that they had a sense of ownership of their new homes, well before the foundations were laid, even allowing tenants to have sneak previews of their new homes as they were being built.
The first phase - 14 bungalows - is now complete, with the new tenants firmly installed in their new warm homes. Coast & Country staff were at hand from day one of their move, to ensure they understood how the heating system works to meet their individual needs. The remaining 11 bungalows will be completed in the summer.
April 8th 2008Go ahead for £12.8 million regeneration of Grangetown estate
Coast & Country Housing’s ambitious regeneration plans have taken yet another major step forward with the recent announcement of a £13m regeneration programme that will transform the Church Lane North estate in Grangetown.
Proposals within the plan comprise a mix of selective clearance, estate and environmental improvements, Decent Homes Investment and new family homes that together will transform the area from an typical ageing 1970’s former council estate to a modern day mixed tenure sustainable community.
Coast & Country have carried out detailed consultations with the residents and a recent survey on the proposals suggests that more than 80% are in favour.
Coast & Country’s Director of Development and Regeneration Anna Gibson said: “The survey shows just how much our residents will support changes that will be truly transformational and which will make this estate a more desirable and pleasant place to live.”
She added: “This is another key milestone for us in the delivery of our Regeneration and Development Strategy for the Borough. We will be providing high quality homes, improving residents’ physical surroundings and creating what we believe will be a modern day environment for sustainable communities and areas where people really want to live in.”
Church Lane North is just one of several multi-million pound regeneration schemes being undertaken by Coast & Country and brings planned investment by the Company to well in excess of £75m and that’s does not include the Company’s recently completed highly successful developments at Marske and Ormesby and recent site starts at their Priors Wood site in Guisborough and Parklands, Ormesby where a further £7.5m is being invested providing new rented and low cost affordable housing.
March 17th 2008NEW life is due to be breathed into the north of the country thanks to a multi-million pound cash handout for new homes.
Housing associations that form the Spirit Partnership will soon be pouring money into building new homes after being awarded more than £27m from their regulator, the Housing Corporation.
The cash injection, handed out as part of the National Affordable Homes Programme (NAHP) means that new money housing projects will be developed in a wide geographic area spanning North Tyneside to North Yorkshire and across the North West.
The money was applied for by the Spirit Partnership, a collaboration of seven housing associations in the North of England which aim to build better quality affordable homes more effectively and efficiently.
A total of 660 units will be built by the partnership, which comprises Tees Valley Housing, Erimus Housing, Housing Hartlepool, Three Rivers Housing Association, Two Castles Housing Association, Coast and Country Housing and Derwentside Homes. The 660 homes have been funded by the programme from 2008 until 2011.
Projects will include major regeneration schemes to rebalance communities and provide new housing for residents, supported housing for special need groups and rural housing in areas where affordability is a major problem. The programme is a mix of homes for rent and shared ownership to offer choice and flexibility to customers.
Alison Thain, Chief Executive of Tees Valley Housing, the lead developer for Spirit, said on behalf of the partnership: “We are delighted to receive this allocation, which will fund a range of exciting and innovative schemes throughout the northern region until 2011.
“All of the schemes approved will meet level 3 of the Code for Sustainable Homes, which means they will be modern, energy efficient and of the highest design quality.”
Martin Knowles, Chief Executive of Three Rivers Housing Association said, “The new programme will see the development of much needed quality, affordable homes which will be energy efficient and will help to address the current issue of fuel poverty which is a priority in the north and one that the Government is trying to tackle nationally.”
December 10th 2007Tackling the problems of affordability and the need for rural housing is a priority for the Government and many housing associations across the country.
For one North East housing association, their new rural developments have received praise from the Government.
Three Rivers Housing Association was commended by the government earlier this year for the development of ten, two-bedroom apartments at Tannery Yard in Barnard Castle, Teesdale.
The new £1milion ‘green’ affordable housing project was developed on a brownfield site, formerly a council depot and was officially opened by local MP and Deputy Leader of the House of Commons Helen Goodman in November. She said, “I am delighted to open this excellent housing development which combines good design with affordability. I am particularly pleased with the high environmental standards of this development, and I welcome the addition of further social housing, which is essential to maintain the vitality of the local area.”
Each apartment complies with the Governments ‘Ecohomes’ Agenda which encourages developers to improve environmental performance of new developments through good design rather than high capital cost solutions. It considers the broad environmental concerns of climate change, resource use and impact on wildlife and balances these against the need for a high quality of life and a safe and healthy internal environment.
David Brown, Senior Development Manager at Three Rivers said, “This is a superb new development that blends the use of modern technology with the traditional craftsmanship and appeal of natural stone and slate. It is a credit to every member of the team involved, demonstrating what can be achieved when working in partnership.”
John Carleton, the Housing Corporation’s Field Director for the North said, “In partnership with the Housing Corporation, Three Rivers Housing Association has done an excellent job in delivering this development in Barnard Castle. It has enabled ten households of local people to live in high quality, affordable housing in the neighbourhood of their choice. We are delighted to have worked with Three Rivers on this project. I hope the new residents will be very happy in their new homes."
Three Rivers resident, Madge Russ, said: "I moved into my new home in April after being in a much bigger house elsewhere in the town. I'm 85 now and the upkeep was worrying me, but I love it here the size is just right.
“We have good neighbours and it was lovely in the summer because we all sat out on the grass and someone brought out a pot of tea. It's not far from the town centre and although it's getting cold now, this house still stays nice and cosy.”
The scheme cost £935,000 and includes a social housing grant of £474,000 from the Housing Corporation.
Earlier this year, Three Rivers also completed the development of nine 2 and 3 bedroom homes at Mickleton in Teesdale. Seven of the properties there were developed for mainstream rent whilst two homes were allocated on an affordable shared equity basis.
Three Rivers’ shared equity programme is an affordable way for people looking to get a foot onto the property ladder and priority for this particular development was given to local people from the area surrounding of and within Mickleton.
The scheme is adjacent to a conservation area and the design of the properties is sympathetic to the surrounding area. Cllr. Pauline Charlton, Lead Member for Housing at Teesdale District Council said, “The Council welcomes the opportunity to work with partners who develop affordable homes which are sympathetically designed and distinctive to the local area but offer high standards that will benefit our rural communities both now and in the future.”
Both rural developments in Barnard Castle and Mickleton have been built using a timber frame system and modern methods of construction. The timber frame construction method offers many unique benefits to the customer such as increased insulation levels resulting in lower energy usage costs. Timber frames are used during construction as they durable, sustainable and environmentally friendly.
Director of Development and Regeneration at Three Rivers, Lynda Peacock said, “The success of these schemes is testimony to Three Rivers in its approach to tackling the issue of affordable rural housing at a local level. By working together with the local authority, the community and all stakeholders, it has helped these local environments to remain sustainable through the provision of more affordable high quality environmentally friendly rural housing for local people in the County.”
“We are seeking to identify new sites where Three Rivers can develop and provide more affordable homes in other rural communities across the north east.”
Three Rivers are continuing to work with key partners with the shared aim of developing more projects that address the shortage of Affordable Rural Housing across the Region.
Coast & Country has stepped in to help a five-year-old boy whose special chair was destroyed in an arson attack just weeks after he started school.
Oliver Cooper has achondroplasia, which restricts the growth of his arms and legs. In July he was given the specially-adapted chair, costing £2,500, which allowed him to move around school and sit comfortably during lessons.
But earlier this month it went up in smoke during the fire at St Mary’s School in Grangetown. Now Coast & Country is buying a replacement.
Chief Executive Iain Sim said: “We were determined to do something when we heard about Oliver’s chair. It seems that he had made a really good start at school and it would be a real shame if his progress was affected.”
He added: “This fire has been awful for the children, staff and parents. When something like this happens it is important that the local community does it all it can to help. We are delighted to assist Oliver.”
Oliver and his 140 schoolmates are having lessons in makeshift classes at St Andrew’s RC Church Hall, a mile away from St Mary’s.
Headteacher Sue Lemmon said: “It had been a real problem finding the right chair in the first place. Oliver had been at our nursery and we were worried about how we would manage, but the chair really helped. It gave him the independence he needed.”
Oliver’s classroom was in the worst affected area of the school. Sue said: “His teacher had worked so hard making the room so bright and informative. All that has now gone. But at least something positive has come out of a terrible event for us. We have been overwhelmed by the response of Coast & Country, the parents and the rest of the community.”
Oliver’s new chair is on order and should be ready for him in a few weeks. Meanwhile work is underway at St Mary’s. Oliver and his classmates could be back early in the New Year.
Hot on the heels of launching two major regeneration schemes, totalling £33 million, at Westfield, Loftus and The Closes in Redcar, the company has now been allocated £2.1 million of Government funding to build 51 new homes across the borough. Thirty nine of them will be for rent and 12 for shared ownership.
They will be built in Eston, Marske and Guisborough and represent another significant step forward for the Company.
Chief Executive, Iain Sim, said “We are all delighted with the news which, as well as providing much needed homes in the area, also shows an increasing confidence in Coast & Country Housing by the Housing Corporation which has allocated the funding to us.”
Mr Sim added that the good news for Redcar and Cleveland comes just after the publication of a new report by the National Housing Federation highlighting the growing problem of a lack of affordable housing.
Councillor Lynn Pallister, Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Housing, said: “This is positive news for the borough and will go some way towards meeting the housing needs already identified. The 12 units of shared ownership, proposed in Guisborough, will allow people on lower incomes to buy homes where, until now, prices were too high to make them affordable.”
Cllr Pallister added: “These homes will also assist in helping to improve areas by making the best use of developable land.”
Coast & Country Housing made six bids to the Housing Corporation for funding and was successful with three. However, the three remaining bids will be refined and re-submitted with a number of other schemes later this year.
The shared ownership homes will be marketed under the company’s new Times4 brand and will allow people access to the home ownership market by offering shares of 25%, 50% and 75% of the property to be bought.
Coast & Country staff have taken part in one of the best-behaved football tournaments you are ever likely to see.
Whilst professional players are seen swearing and snarling at referees, these footballers did not take a step out of line. The reason for this, perhaps, was that one of the teams was made up of some of Cleveland Police’s finest.
The tournament, which also involved the Overfields Youth team, took place at the end of a clean up week inspired by teenagers from the Overfields and Spencerbeck areas of Ormesby. They decided it was time the Allendale shopping area was tidied up and managed to secure a grant of £2,000 from the Youth Opportunity Fund.
The mark the successful culmination of Operation Eco the three teams took part in a five-a-side competition. The first game saw the Coast & Country side ease past the Overfields youngsters 6-0.
Overfields next game, against the police, was closer. Cleveland Police, boosted by the presence of local resident and able goalkeeper Lisa Baker, won 1-0. The final, played in a competitive but sporting manner, again resulted in a Coast & Country win by 2-0.
All players received a medal and certificate from Glen Durrant of Coast & Country and Julie Pearce from the Youth Inclusion Programme. Overfields’ captain Jack Williams won the vote for Youth Player of the Tournament.
Glen said: “Coast & Country might have been the most successful team, but everyone was a winner. I have never seen such good behaviour on a football pitch – and we know why that was! Seriously the teenagers put in a lot of hard work during the week and the football tournament was a nice way to end a very constructive few days.”
October 2nd 2007Frank Connorton, Chair of the Coast & Country Board, having reached the end of a maximum 6-year term of office, stepped down from the role at the Company’s Annual General Meeting on 21 September.
Frank was the first Chairman of the Company, having been elected in 2001, when the Shadow Board was in the process of creating Coast & Country Housing in preparation for the transfer of ownership of 12,000 homes from Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council.
Frank admitted to mixed feelings, but said “I have been privileged to be the Chairman of this Company for the past 6 years. We have achieved many great things, not least of which has been our £140m investment work on our homes and in fulfilling the promises made to tenants at the time of transfer”.
“I was particularly pleased with our Audit Commission 2 Star rating which I know was the culmination of some very hard work for such a young Company”.
“It is great to see that the Company is moving forward, we are starting to build our own homes and address some significant regeneration issues across Redcar and Cleveland. I truly believe that we have the strong foundations in place to make a difference”.
Although Frank is stepping down as Chairman, he will remain on the Board.
At the Company’s AGM on Thursday 21 September, Cliff Houlding was elected as the new Chair.
June 11th 2007
COAST & COUNTRY: NEWSLETTER - ALLENDALE ROAD
Working within the Spirit Partnership has enabled Coast & Country Housing Limited to bring its first development site on stream at Allendale Rd Ormesby Middlesbrough.
Coast & Country is to develop a Greenfield site strategically located between Allendale Rd and its existing Spencerbeck House high rise block.The scheme will deliver 12 Nr. Affordable homes for rent, for which Housing Corporation Social Housing Grant has been obtained, together with 6Nr. homes for sale as shared ownership properties.
The scheme was tendered and a contract awarded to Southdale Homes.Start on site is scheduled for the end of May, with completion due at the end of February 2008.
Coast & Country Housing has identified a number of other development opportunities for land in its ownership and is looking forward to establishing a sizeable programme in conjunction with Spirit.
June 11th 2007
COAST & COUNTRY: WE ARE UP AND RUNNING
Work is about to start on our latest development at Allendale Road, Spencerbeck. Coast & Country Housing is developing 18 affordable homes, 12 of which will be for rent. The remaining 6 homes will be for sale on a shared ownership basis and will be the first homes that we have developed for sale.
We hope to be doing many more mixed tenure schemes like this one in the future and are looking forward to the exciting times ahead.
June 6th 2007
PARTNERSHIP REAPS REWARDS FOR HOUSING IN THE NORTH
The Spirit development partnership is celebrating a successful year of activity in which it exceeded its projected activity by 20 per cent.
Spirit was launched in 2005 as a partnership between Tees Valley Housing Group and Three Rivers Housing Group in the North East and Yorkshire, and Two Castles Housing Association in the North West.
Since then, Erimus Housing, Coast and Country Housing and Housing Hartlepool, three Tees Valley locally sponsored agencies which were formed when housing stock was transferred from local authority ownership, have joined the partnership.
A total of 313 family homes were built in the 2006/7 year, equal to the output of a large house builder, compared to the target of 261, which had been set for that period. The majority of these homes received the financial backing of the Government’s Housing Corporation, which contributed over £11.5 million of public funding.
Among the highlights of the year were the first development projects to be started by Coast & Country Housing and Housing Hartlepool, as well as the first homes to be handed over by Erimus Housing.
During the year, all of the partners have worked hard to exceed their targets of new homes, handing over a total of 52 extra homes over the original target
Martin Hawthorne, director or development and regeneration, said: “Spirit is all about working together to draw funding to the North to build new homes in the North East, North West and Yorkshire and the Humber. By exceeding our target by 20 per cent, we feel we have had an excellent year.”
Lynda Peacock, director of development and regeneration, Three Rivers Housing Group, said: “Spirit this year has really met its challenges and proved what an effective and strong partnership it is, but there are still big issues to tackle such as fuel poverty and how to lessen the running costs of new homes for the benefit of our residents, along with our commitment to reducing the environmental impact of our developments in the future.”
Anna Gibson, director of regeneration and development, Coast & Country Housing, said: “Our first newbuild scheme with Housing Corporation grant is on target and we now have the resources in place, including land, to develop more new housing. We have identified over 200 sites already in our ownership which have the potential for the creation of 1500 new homes. We also have exciting plans for the regeneration of our estates and many of these will come on stream over the next five years. As part of Spirit Partnership, we are leading on the OJEU process to procure a framework of consultants, contractors and developers to deliver future projects, which due to economies of scale expected will deliver value for money.”
Chris Smith, director of regeneration at Erimus Housing, said: ‘We are delighted that we have successfully delivered our first new build scheme and are now on site with our first project funded by the Housing Corporation.”
Colin Wilson, director of regeneration at Housing Hartlepool, said: “Work began on 14 new bungalows in Hartlepool in March, our first new properties since our foundation three years ago. Most will be for older residents but two of the bungalows will be specially adapted for wheelchair users and will be offered on the basis of need, regardless of age. Other sites will be coming on stream in the near future.”
ENDS
Editor’s notes: Tees Valley Housing Group is one of the country’s leading independent registered social landlords.
While retaining its independence, it is a member of the Spirit partnership, set up to raise the level of social housing standards by providing more and better quality homes at less cost to the public purse, and the Northern Edge consortium, formed to meet the challenge set by Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott to build homes for less than £60,000.
In 2005, TVHG won two prestigious industry accolades at the iNbiz Awards, held by the National Housing Federation. Not only did the Group’s young mothers’ units in Darlington, Hartlepool and Sunderland take the Griffiths Independent Living Award, it also took the event’s overall inBiz National Housing Federation Award for the best schemes across all categories.
In 2003, the Group also won the UK Housing Awards overall prize for its innovative Corporate Change programme.
Three Rivers Housing Group is recognised in the North East for its innovative approach and environmentally friendly sustainable housing developments , it is also part of Northern Edge LLP which was one of the overall nine winners at stage two of the Design for Manufacture Competition through English Partnerships in 2005. The association is also this years winner of the North East Constructing Excellence Award for Innovation in the Built Product 2007 , which the association also won in 2006.
This years winning scheme which is going forward to the national awards was designed and built in the village of West Rainton just outside Durham, in the a Beco Wallform System . These flexible homes, truly tackle both affordable warmth issues , and in reducing fuel use substantially. They are constructed to lifetime homes standards and can convert from a two bed roomed home into a three bed roomed home through the clever use of a cassette roof construction.
TRHG were also this years winner of The Journals 21 Century Living Award 2007, Special Award , for a cutting edge design in Supported Housing for people who otherwise would still be living in long stay hospital.
Coast & Country Housing was set up in 2001 to take over the ownership and management of the housing stock and ancillary housing assets from Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council under a Large Scale Voluntary Transfer Initiative (LSVT.)
The Company is the largest provider of affordable housing in Redcar and Cleveland and owns and manage 10,500 homes, as well as garages, shops and community centres. The Company also employs 600 staff and has invested a total of £125million – equivalent to £500k a week - in its existing stock since the transfer from the local authority.
Coast & Country Housing’s programme of mixed tenure developments include over 200 new homes at Blayberry Burnmoor estate in Redcar and the replacement of former wartime prefabs at East Meadows in Marske with 25 two-bedroom bungalows and 30 high quality modern new homes for sale in partnership with Yuill Homes.
Twelve homes for rent and six for shared ownership are being built at Allendale Road, Spencerbeck. The scheme is part-funded by a £500,000 Affordable Housing Grant from the Housing Corporation and will be built by Southdale Homes.
The Company has identified over 200 potential development sites with capacity for1,500 new homes.
Coast & Country Housing also offers a Homecall service linked to Telecare, providing 24/7 monitoring through its Customer Contact Centre. Sophisticated sensors in the homes of older or vulnerable tenants can alert staff to emergency situations such as sickness, accidents and unexpected callers. This service can be offered to private residents in any location in the country, and allows people in need and their families to lead more independent lives.
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.
The housing service is provided from three neighbourhood-based offices.
Since its formation it is continuing its promise to invest over £100million in its housing stock.
For more information, go to: www.housinghartlepool.org.uk
Erimus Housing is Middlesbrough’s largest landlord, owning more than 11,000 homes and employing more than 500 people.
The organisation began business in November 2004, following the transfer of Middlesbrough Council’s housing stock.
The company recently won a Constructing Excellence award, received the judge’s special award at the Journal’s 21st Century Living Awards and has just scooped a Big Tick award from Business in the Community for its work with youngsters in Middlesbrough.
The Housing Corporation is the Government agency responsible for investing in new affordable homes and regulating over 1,500 housing associations in England. Its biggest ever investment programme of £3.9 billion, for 2006-08, will fund 84,000 homes. 49,000 of these will be for affordable rent and 35,000 will be for affordable sale through the Government's new HomeBuy initiative, helping people to get a foot on the property ladder.
June 2007
COAST & COUNTRY: GUISBOROUGH GOES 'MADD'
The corner of Oak Road, Guisborough was the venue for the latest ‘Make a Difference Day ‘MADD’ day on 6 June 2007. Staff from across the Company volunteered their services, together with members of the North Guisborough Forum and children from Challoner Primary School. They all worked together to turn a piece of drab looking land laid with old uneven paving stones into a colourful array of flowerbeds with freshly painted fencing and seating for residents to enjoy.
The area had been reported as being a ‘tripping hazard’ and even before the volunteers moved onto the site, contractors were used to remove a diseased tree and relay the York paving stones.
On the day, shrubs were cut back and reclaimed fencing was erected at the rear of the site. Repairs were also carried out to a stone wall. The benches and fencing were painted and the children planted an array of flowers ranging from cardalines, geraniums, marigolds and begonias into the flower beds. New shrubs were also planted along the front of the wall.
Members of North Guisborough Community Forum ensured that everyone was well fed during the day and a great time was had by all. Passers by were thrilled with the results and commented on just how lovely everything looked.
A big thank you to everyone who took part especially the children, who were awarded with certificates and ‘goodie bags’ in appreciation of all their hard work. Also, a special thank you to the East Cleveland Area Panel who sponsored the plants and the Council for donating the topsoil.
June 2007
COAST & COUNTRY HOUSING'S ECO DAY
Coast & Country Housing and Redcar & Cleveland Council have jointly funded an Eco Day to revamp a corner plot of land in Eston.
The three-day clean-up event, which started on Wednesday 30 May 2007, was executed from start to finish by volunteers. The community project concentrated on the entrance of Church Lane South.
With local residents group, The Church Lane Partnership, designing the garden, and youngsters from the Eco Group at Eston Park School and South Park Rangers football team organising the overhaul, the event was a real community effort.
Beginning work at 10.00 am, the team cleared dead leaves from the area, picked up litter and planted flowerbeds. Members of the school’s Eco Group even potted plants for the elderly residents of Barmouth Road.
Thanks to the efforts of the residents and young people, the former waste land has now been transformed into a community garden.
Donna Trainer, Housing Advisor, said: “The Eco Day has brought the entire community together. The residents and young people worked extremely hard to clean up the area, and managed to transform it into something that can be used by all local people.
“All of the partnerships involved in the project worked together to bring the Eco Day alive. It was fantastic to see the community get involved and work together to improve the area.”
Mannie Cook, Chairperson of Church Lane Partnership, said: “Coast & Country Housing played a large part in the clean-up campaign. The housing company has invested a lot of time and effort into the regeneration of this area and it is wonderful to see the results.
“It was great to see everyone mucking in to improve their neighbourhood. The clean-up was a huge success.”
Redcar & Cleveland Council's Cabinet Member for the Environment, Councillor Sylvia Szintai, applauded the Eco Day. "I am delighted that so many groups have got together to produce such a good scheme which I am sure will be welcomed and enjoyed by all the community."
The clean-up campaign was rounded off with a celebratory barbeque. Our Area Community Panel funded the gathering as a thank you to all those who volunteered over the course of the three days.
May 21st 2007
TEES VALLEY HOUSING GROUP HANDS OVER NEW RICHMOND HOMES
Tees Valley Housing Group has handed five new homes in the heart of Richmond town centre over to their new occupants.
The homes, in Nuns Close, have been designed to make it easier for people aged 55 and over to live in close proximity to the town centre.
Tees Valley Housing Group has developed the homes, on the site of an old school kitchen next to Richmond Cricket Club, in partnership with Richmondshire District Council. This follows the Group previously having developed six other sites with the authority.
The new development consists of one block of four apartments and an adjacent single-storey home.
Two of the homes, including one of the ground floor apartments and the single-storey home, have full disabled access. One of the other apartments has one bedroom, while the other homes have two bedrooms.
TVHG received £188,010 (through the Spirit Partnership) from the Housing Corporation and £188,009 from North Yorkshire Council towards the cost of the development.
Martin Hawthorne, director of development and regeneration at Tees Valley Housing Group, said: “This new development has come about because of the excellent relationship which has been built up between Tees Valley Housing Group and Richmondshire District Council during the last few years. The homes we have built have been designed with people aged 55 and over in mind and the people who have moved into them are now living within close proximity to the amenities offered by Richmond town centre.”
Colin Dales, assistant director (community) of Richmondshire District Council, said: "I am very pleased to see more much needed affordable housing being delivered in Richmond. This has been a difficult site to develop but the effort which ourselves and Tees Valley Housing Group have put into it has been well worth it.”
John Carleton, the Housing Corporation's field director for the North, said: “The successful completion of this scheme marks further progress in the innovative partnership between the Housing Corporation, councils in North Yorkshire and housing associations like Tees Valley Housing Group. This innovative programme is making a real difference in areas where lack of available land and, above all, affordability are making access to housing very difficult for local people.
“These new homes for older people in Richmond are a perfect example of what we are trying to achieve: sustainable affordable homes in strong communities. We look forward to many more similar projects to deliver even more affordable housing where it is most needed.”
May 15th 2007
COAST & COUNTRY: THE DEMOLITION BEGINS!
15th May 2007 saw the first two bungalows being demolished at East Meadows, Marske to make way for the new development. The two properties, on Windy Hill Lane, were removed first to make way for the new entrance to the new development, which will be renamed St Germain's Gardens. The rest of the demolitions will be carried out over the next weeks.
May 9th 2007
INNOVATIVE DESIGN FOR AFFORDABLE HOMES
Cllr Brenda Gray officially opened a small but stunning new development of homes yesterday (8th May) in the picturesque town of Broughton-in-Furness on the Duddon Estuary.
Broughton-in-Furness, dubbed the ‘hidden gem’ of the Lakes, lies in a conservation area within the Lake District National Park and serves a large farming community. As a result, properties are in short supply and high demand, with house prices way beyond the reach of many people.
Working in partnership with South Lakeland District Council, Two Castles Housing Association has developed four, much needed affordable homes at Castlewray, on a difficult to use site that would have otherwise lain unused.
John Hay, Two Castles Development Director, explained: “The gradient of the site was almost vertical so it proved to be a huge challenge but the end result is spectacular and more importantly, we’ve been able to provide affordable homes which are so badly needed in this area.”
The steep slope called for an innovative and unique design which proved to be a lot of hard work and labour before even building could begin to take place. The three bedroom houses were built by the association’s partners, Leck Construction Limited, and part funded by the Housing Corporation through the Spirit Partnership.
Cllr Brenda Gray, Portfolio Holder for Housing & Development, South Lakeland District Council, said: “I’m delighted to be here today. Last year South Lakeland District Council published a survey that revealed a substantial need for more affordable housing in the district. Two Castles’ properties are exactly what the area needs – I hope the residents are very happy in their new homes.”
Two Castles Housing Association has over 3,300 properties available for low cost rent and ownership across the North East and the North West. For more information visit www.twocastles.org.uk.
The Spirit Partnership is a collaboration of six northern housing associations: Erimus Housing, Three Rivers Housing Group, Two Castles Housing Association, Tees Valley Housing Group, Housing Hartlepool and Coast and Country Housing.
May 2007
COAST & COUNTRY: NEW COMMUNITY ARTWORK UNVEILED AT ESTON
The drab sidewall of an Eston pizza restaurant has been transformed into a bright, colourful interpretation of a garden with the unveiling of a long mural designed by local residents.
A group of the designers attended the unveiling of the mural this week on the side of Pizza Roma at the Fabian Court Shops, Church Lane South, Eston.
More than 100 volunteers attended workshops to design the mural. The theme of a garden, featuring trees, flowers, bees and birds, was chosen to reflect how the designers would like their landscape to look.
The project is part of an ongoing partnership between Coast & Country Housing, Groundwork South Tees, Church Lane Partnership and local residents.
It involved commissioning artists Ged Holmes and Mark Warner of kitch-en, an art and design organisation based in Middlesbrough, to hold workshops with the local community and pupils and students from Caedmon Primary School and Gilbrook Technology College.
Tracy O’Neill, Community Investment Manager said: “The workshops allowed the local people to put forward their ideas for improving this rather drab wall in the centre of the Fabian Court shopping centre. They wanted something bold and colourful and I think the professional artists who translated their designs on to the finished mural have captured the spirit and enthusiasm generated by the project.”
Ged Holmes from kitch-en said: “This was our first community project and we found it very rewarding to work with Coast & Country Housing, Groundwork and both the residents and children of Eston. The work that was produced was creative and inspiring and has been combined into a fantastic piece of artwork and focal point for the community.”
Neighbourhood Renewal Funding was secured for the project from the Redcar & Cleveland Local Strategic Partnership. Church Lane South will receive additional environmental improvements through the ‘Neighbourhood Blueprint’ that will be delivered through a partnership between Coast & Country Housing and Groundwork South Tees.
Consultation on proposed improvements will take place on June 4th and 11th at Eston Grange Methodist Church on Fabian Road. To find out more about the proposed Neighbourhood Blueprint please call Andrea Laverick, Community Investment Co-ordinator on 01642 836060 or Vicky Eastmond at Groundwork on 01287 625326.
May 2007
COAST & COUNTRY: WELCOME HOME
New tenants of a smart new housing development received a warm welcome to their new homes. The six tenants and their families are the first of many that we plan to house in new homes as part of our development plans to build new homes for rent. The six semi-detached properties were built by George Wimpey Homes and form part of a 50 home, private development for sale.
Tenant Shelley Robinson has taken over one of the new semi-detached houses with her children Skye, aged six, and Cole, three. Shelley who previously lived in Loftus said: “I have been in the house for two weeks and am very happy here. It’s good that rented and private houses have been built on the same estate. You don’t feel like your singled out as a tenant. It helps to bring people together.”
The new homes signify a significant change in direction and a new agenda for Coast & Country Housing providing new build for a new generation.
May 2007
COAST & COUNTRY: SUPPORTING THE SPORTS STARS OF THE FUTURE
The South Park Rangers Football Tournament, which was held at Smith Dock Park, Normanby, on Sunday, May 27, attracted 54 teams of youngsters from the Teesside Junior Football Association.
The affiliated one-day event brought together teams from all areas of Teesside. With six teams in each age bracket, the teams compete in one of nine groups. Ranging from Under 8s up to Under 16s, group champions were rewarded with a £50 prize, and trophies will be awarded to those who reach the semi-final stage and beyond.
As an extra incentive, the squads competing in the Under 10s division had an additional prize to play for. In preparation for the jump from 7-a-side to 11-a-side, which will be made next season, the lads played for a full team strip which was also sponsored by Coast & Country Housing.
Winning the age group, Teesside Athletic walked away with the Under 10s title and the all important strip for next year.
Tony Duffy, who is the Chairman of South Park Rangers said: “This is the 17th consecutive year that we have hosted the tournament, and we are very grateful to Coast & Country Housing for their support.
“The sponsorship is vital to the tournament; it generates interest from local teams, pays for pitch fees and funds the prizes and incentives which really give the boys something to play for.”
Iain Sim, Chief Executive of Coast & County Housing said: “We are enthusiastic supporters of community events and were very pleased to sponsor the South Park Rangers Football Tournament. The tournament is a great event for young people to be involved in.
“It was a fantastic turn out on the day, with over 50 teams from a variety of age groups taking part. I am sure events such as this help to generate a feeling of community spirit and involvement. Many congratulations to all involved.”
Coast & Country Housing rounded off the day by presenting £50 to the top team from each group. The winners were as follows: Under 8s - North Ormesby, Under 9s – South Park A, Under 11s – Redcar A, Under 12s – Nunthorpe Athletic, Under 13s – Redcar, Under 14s – Redcar, Under 15s – Redcar, Under 16s – South Park.
April 27th 2007
MAYOR OPENS TWO CASTLES HOMES IN BIRTLEY
The Mayor of Gateshead, Cllr Mrs Maureen Goldsworthy, opened a special development in Birtley today (Friday 27th April) for Two Castles Housing Association.
Lansbury Close, Birtley, is the first urban development in the North East for Two Castles in seven years. Development Director, John Hay, said: “Although we are recognised as rural specialists, we have an ambitious development programme to provide affordable urban homes throughout the North East and North West and we are serious about contributing to the economic regeneration of urban areas.”
The brownfield site was once a former, rundown Salvation Army hut but has now been transformed to provide six two-bedroom, modern and affordable homes.
Two Castles worked with RyderHKS to achieve a very good eco-homes rating and use modern methods of construction for the benefit of tenants and residents. The affordable accommodation is now available for rent to couples and families.
The Mayor of Gateshead, Cllr Maureen Goldsworthy, said: “I’m delighted to have opened Lansbury Close – this will help to regenerate the area, provide much needed affordable homes, and contribute to maintaining a sustainable community.”
April 2nd 2007
COAST & COUNTRY HOUSING TAKES KEYS TO FIRST NEW HOMES
Coast & Country Housing is preparing to celebrate it’s fifth anniversary with the launch of our first new houses in the borough.
We take over the keys to six three-bedroom semi-detached houses at Cross Green, Skelton, this month.
The houses are located on a new estate of mostly owner-occupied homes on the former site of Langbaurgh Court and on land that used to be a riding school.
Built to the latest specifications for modern living, the mews-style homes will include ground-floor WC and cloak rooms, fitted wardrobes in the master bedroom and French doors to the rear garden.
Iain Sim, Chief Executive said: “The completion of our first brand new houses creates an important milestone as Coast & Country Housing prepares to celebrate the fifth anniversary of its foundation in July.
“The small estate of homes at Cross Green combines housing for rent alongside and to the same high standard of construction as the neighbouring owner-occupied properties.
“Cross Green is the first new-build of a major programme planned by Coast & Country Housing across the borough.”
Other developments in the pipeline include over 200 new homes at Blayberry/Burnmoor estate in Redcar and the replacement of former wartime prefabs at East Meadows in Marske with 25 two-bedroom bungalows for occupancy by older tenants and some who need wheelchair access. The East Meadows development will be undertaken by Yuill and work is due to start imminently.
Mr Sim said: “The East Meadows development sets the standard for affordable housing in Redcar and Cleveland and the sub-region as it will achieve Eco Homes ‘excellent’ rating. The bungalows are designed to ensure that our tenants will enjoy their brand new homes with low heating bills as the heat will be generated by ground source heat pumps. Yuill’s will also be building 30 high quality modern new homes for sale as part of this development, which will greatly improve the sustainability of the area.”
Planning permission has also recently been granted for the development of 18 two and three-bedroom houses on land in the Allendale Road area of Spencerbeck. The scheme, part-funded by a £500,000 Affordable Housing Grant from the Housing Corporation, will include 12 houses for rent and six for shared ownership. Southdale Homes has been appointed as main contractor for this development.
Mr Sim added: “The progress of our new home developments complements the substantial and on-going refurbishment programme aimed at bringing all our 10,500 houses up to the Decent Home Standard required by the Government by 2010.”
For more information about shared ownership, contact Peter Fleming on 01642 771440.
March 19th 2006
THREE RIVERS SCOOPS INNOVATION AWARD
Three Rivers has won the 'Innovation' category at the North-Easts third annual Constructing Excellence in the Built Environment Awards 2007 at the Newcastle Marriott Gosforth Park Hotel last week.
The event is an opportunity for industry leaders to turn out once a year to showcase and celebrate the achievements of the North-East’s construction industry.
Three Rivers, winner of the 'Innovation Award 2007' was for its development of eight 2-bedroom bungalows at West Rainton in County Durham. The scheme is the first of two phases which have been developed within this local County Durham village. The homes have been designed to Lifetime Homes Standards to achieve an Eco-homes rating of very good.
This announcement follows on from the success of last years event when Northern Edge, a housing association-led consortium was recognised for excellence in the field of innovation. Three Rivers is a key partner in the Northern Edge partnership and last year, was recognised for being the only social housing-led consortium to be selected as one of nine stage two winners in the ODPMs Design for Manufacture competition.
Lynda Peacock, Director of Development and Regeneration at Three Rivers commented on this years achievement and said, "We are delighted to have won this award which was commended by the judges as "Providing Sustainability and Innovation in the Built Product." Personally, I would like to thank my whole team and our partnership approach within the scheme development, through constructors CGR ECOHOMES Ltd. and Beco WALLFORM whose product was used for the structures. I would also like to thank Durham City Council with whom we have a Sustainable Homes Charter in delivering successful eco schemes such as this as well as the residents who have now moved into the first phase and are living in one of the most affordable and efficient homes in the North East. Our customers will substantially reduce their fuel bills and ultimately the running costs of their homes.
"It goes without saying that we will be working twice as hard in this coming year with the aim to try and make it an innovation hatrick next year!"
Three Rivers part of the Spirit partnership received a grant of £640,000 from the Housing Corporation towards the total project costs at West Rainton, the Group is a key member of the Spirit Partnership which consists of Two Castles Housing Association, Tees Valley Housing Group, Erimus Housing, Housing Hartlepool and Coast & Country Housing.
Phase 2 at West Rainton commenced on site at the beginning of December 2006 and will provide a further 10 flexible homes which can be easily converted from a two bedroomed bungalow into a three bedroomed home should the need ever arise. This is by the use of a roof cassette contruction.
Commenting on the scheme, Julie Jacques, Head of Investment in the North East from The Housing Corporation said, I am delighted that the Housing Corporation has been able to work in partnership with Three Rivers Housing Association to enable the development of these new bungalows at West Rainton. Three Rivers have used an innovative construction method which has delivered high quality, environmentally friendly housing, and I am very pleased that we will also be supporting the second phase of the development. I hope that the people who live here will be very comfortable and happy in their new homes.
Catriona Lingwood, Director of Constructing Excellence in the North-East, said: There was a real added excitement to this years Constructing Excellence in the Built Environment Awards, with the introduction of the new national awards and the chance for the winners to go on to another level.
We have had some real success stories to shout about this year, and the turnout at the Newcastle Gosforth Marriott Hotel reflected that.
All of the winners were worthy of the accolades they received, and those who were commended rightfully deserved their mentions. I hope the success of the awards will once again inspire a great response in future years.
15th March 2007
'GREEN' HOMES ON STREAM FOR THREE RIVERS HOUSING GROUP
A £1million, ‘green’ affordable housing project in Barnard Castle which has just been completed by Three Rivers Housing Group has won praise from the Government for complying with their ‘Ecohomes’ Agenda.
The scheme, at Tannery Lane off Birch Road in Barnard Castle is the latest rural development for Three Rivers Housing Group in the North East
The development of ten, two-bedroom apartments for mainstream rent is expected to be occupied at the end of this month.
Each home has been built using a timber frame and Modern Methods of Construction. Birch Road is the second scheme Three Rivers has used a timber frame construction method which offers unique benefits to the customer such as increased insulation resulting in lower energy costs. Timber frames are used during construction as they durable and environmentally friendly.
Each apartment complies with the Governments ‘Ecohomes’ Agenda which encourages developers to improve environmental performance of new developments through good design rather than high capital cost solutions. It considers the broad environmental concerns of climate change, resource use and impact on wildlife and balances these against the need for a high quality of life and a safe and healthy internal environment.
David Brown, Senior Development Manager at Three Rivers said, “This is a superb new development that blends the use of modern technology with the traditional appeal of natural stone and slate. It is a credit to every member of the team involved, showing what can be achieved through working in partnership.”
John Carleton, the Housing Corporation’s Field Director for the North said, “In partnership with the Housing Corporation, Three Rivers Housing Association has done an excellent job in delivering this development in Barnard Castle. It will enable ten households of local people to live in high quality, affordable housing in the neighborhood of their choice. We are delighted to have worked with Three Rivers on this project. I hope the new residents will be very happy in their new homes."
Peter Slack, Managing Director of Teesdale Housing Association complemented the scheme and said, “The development at Birch Road is a great scheme, well built to a high specification and looks good. Well done!”
The scheme, which cost £935k and includes an investment of £474k from the Housing Corporation was developed by contractors B&I Thompson and is part of the Spirit partnership. Three Rivers is a key member of the Spirit Partnership which also consists of Two Castles Housing Association, Tees Valley Housing Group, Erimus Housing, Housing Hartlepooll and Coast & Country Housing whose aim is to raise the level of social housing standards by providing more and better quality homes at less cost to the public purse.
March 6th 2007
SEVEN STYLISH AFFORDABLE HOMES FOR SLALEY
Work is continuing on Two Castles Housing Association’s flagship development to provide new much-needed, high quality, affordable homes in rural Tynedale.
The association is developing seven two and three bedroom homes in Slaley village, Northumberland. Work began on site in December 2006 and the homes are expected to be occupied in September 2007.
Three two bedroom bungalows and two three bedroom homes will be made available for low cost rent, and one three bedroom home and one two bedroom bungalow will for sale under a shared ownership scheme.
Slaley is a small village south of Hexham, but its idyllic landscapes and easy commuting distance to Newcastle, has resulted in it becoming a victim of its own success.
Homebuyers are now attracted to the village from far and wide, with house prices and demand for property having risen considerably in recent years - making it more difficult for locals to get onto the housing ladder and for key workers to find suitable and affordable accommodation.
John Hay, development director at Two Castles, said: “We are extremely excited about this flagship development, and are delighted that work is progressing well.
“Affordable housing for locals and for key workers like nurses and teachers has become a big issue across the North. This has been a problem in rural areas like the Lake District National Park for a number of years, but it is increasingly becoming an issue of particular concern in rural areas like Tynedale and the Northumberland National Park.
“The Slaley homes are part of a wider, ambitious development programme by Two Castles which represents our continued commitment to supporting the regeneration and sustainability of our villages, towns and cities across the whole of the North.”
The need for homes in Slaley was identified in the village’s parish plan and the parish council then went on to work with a local landowner to identify a piece of land that could be used.
Linda Norris, chair of Slaley Parish Council, said: “The need for affordable housing in Slaley was identified in the parish plan which we adopted in January 2004.
“The problem for the council was that there was no site available, all sites within the village having been built on and the village being situated within the green belt.
“However local farmer Adam Scott, recognising the importance of having affordable housing, agreed to release agricultural land for this purpose. The parish council remain deeply grateful to Adam for this gesture and are looking forward to seeing the scheme coming to fruition after all the hard work that has gone into making it happen.”
Cllr Edward Heslop, special adviser for housing at Tynedale Council, added: “Enabling the provision of more affordable housing in the district is a key objective for the council. We cannot underestimate the value of a project such as this which has come directly from the community, at grass roots level, through the parish council and the parish plan. We are extremely pleased to have been able to add support to the development this scheme which is a testament to community drive and effective partnership working.”
The Housing Corporation awarded £470,799 to the Spirit partnership towards the total project costs. The Spirit Partnership is a collaboration of six Northern housing associations; Erimus Housing, Three Rivers Housing Group, Two Castles Housing Association, Tees Valley Housing Group, Housing Hartlepool and Coast and Country Housing.
The group aims to build better quality affordable homes more effectively and efficiently, at less cost to the public purse.
March 2nd 2007
THREE SHOW SPIRIT TO MAKE HOUSING CHALLENGE SHORTLIST
Three members of the Spirit partnership have been shortlisted for the Housing Corporation’s Northern Housing Challenge, which proposes to provide homes for more than 10,500 people.
Of 17 proposals shortlisted from across the North of England, four are from the North East, three of them members of Spirit – Tees Valley Housing Group, Housing Hartlepool and Erimus Housing.
Spirit is the development partnership set up to raise the level of social housing standards by providing more and better quality homes at less cost to the public purse
The Northern Challenge was launched by the Housing Corporation to promote new housing-led projects which will help shrink the North’s annual £30 billion output shortfall compared to the South, stimulate creative thinking and generate innovation. Key objectives include:
Tees Valley Housing Group proposes to work with designer and developer Urban Splash to create 80 homes for rent and sale in North Shore, Stockton, aimed at halting the out migration of young talent and graduates from the region.
Housing Hartlepool proposes to develop over 500 new build homes for rent and sale which will greatly improve the housing offered in central Hartlepool.
Erimus Housing proposes to develop up to 38 homes for rent and sale in the centre of Middlesbrough. The project will be aimed at graduates and professionals wishing to establish themselves in business but who require an affordable base in the area.
Alison Thain, chief executive of Tees Valley Housing Group, said: “The North Shore proposal is an exciting concept, aimed at keeping the talent that comes out of Durham University and the University of Teesside in the region, by creating a place where these graduates would want to live and prosper, ultimately benefiting the region as well.”
Cath Purdy, Housing Hartlepool’s chief executive, said: “To have three of the four North East shortlist members coming from the Spirit partnership is great news, and it is particularly exciting for the Tees Valley that Hartlepool, Stockton and Middlesbrough are all in with a chance of benefiting from these exciting projects.”
Bernard Williams, chief executive of Erimus Housing, said: “The idea behind the Northern Housing Challenge is about keeping graduates and young professionals in the region, by giving them an affordable base to work and live from. With the University of Teesside and Durham University’s Stockton Campus in the Tees Valley, there is a lot of talent to capture with these projects.”
Housing Corporation field director for the North of England, John Carleton, said: “This is not just about houses, but the bigger picture. Creating the right kind of affordable housing in the right place is central to achieving the key objectives of economic growth and sustainable communities in the North.
“The Northern Housing Challenge not only illustrates the Corporation's commitment to new approaches to investment, but we designed it to find new ways with Regional Housing Boards for affordable housing to contribute even more to the prosperity and life chances of Northern residents.
“These three short-listed proposals illustrate a real opportunity to try out new thinking. Given the North’s long track record of innovation, we look forward to these proposals for new products, new funding approaches and new ways for residents to benefit from affordable housing investment.”
February 13th 2007
TVHG ADJUSTS TO INDUSTRY CHANGE WITH DEVELOPMENT TEAM GROWTH
Tees Valley Housing Group has created two new posts and a new structure within its development division to meet the changing needs of the construction industry.
With less grants now available and rising costs, as well as greater regulation, TVHG has decided to move to a structure which mirrors that in the private sector.
The change has seen the creation of two new roles, both of which report directly to Martin Hawthorne, director of development. Rodger Till has been appointed as head of land and partnerships, while the role of head of construction has been filled by Clive Bell.
A qualified chartered surveyor, Rodger has worked for English Partnerships, Greggs the Bakers, the property development arm of the Sunderland-based Vaux Group, Storeys ssp and the Able Group, where he was the property management director.
Clive moved into social housing in 1987 and has held senior posts in the development departments of a number of organisations within the sector since then.
As well as Martin, Rodger and Clive, the division includes four regeneration officers, a quality performance officer and an administrator.
Martin Hawthorne, director of development, said: “Construction is becoming much more complicated and, with costs rising and grants becoming less of a funding option, we had to look at the market in a new way and take a more commercial approach to development.
“This has led to us adding an extra tier to the development team, dividing the roles which would, in the past, have been done by one person. Rodger has responsibility for getting out and meeting the people who will help us to identify and secure sites, while Clive will concentrate on the management of projects and the rules and regulations which affect the way we work.”
Clive added: “I have joined TVHG because I am attracted by the Group’s dynamism, innovation and professionalism in tackling the challenges of modern social housing development, underpinned by a sound collective approach as part of the Spirit partnership.”
Rodger said: “Having worked with TVHG as an external consultant during my time at storeys ssp, I knew the Group well. When the opportunity to move to a development, as opposed to a property management, job as head of land and partnerships was advertised I was excited about the opportunity to move to a different role with a successful developer of residential property.”
February 2007
TEES Valley Housing Group is working on major developments which will provide affordable housing and revitalise two areas of Stockton.
The first, in Parkfield, will dramatically change the face of the area, with the demolition of run-down terraced properties to be replaced by hundreds of new family homes.
The second, at Darlington Back Lane, is a partnership project which sees TVHG offering people a chance to get on the property ladder without the cost of a full mortgage.
The first of three phases at Parkfield is a project on which we are working in partnership with Dunelm Castle Homes and Stockton Borough Council. A total of more than 114 new homes, with gardens, will be built to replace the old terraces which have been demolished.
For our part, TVHG will buy 29 of these new homes, 19 of which will be apartments and houses for sale, while 10 of which will be two and three-bedroom houses and bungalows for rent.
Completion of the first of these homes is expected a year from now, and we are working with the council and Neighbourhood Management Pathfinder to arrange workshops for residents to find out about the lettings policy for allocation of these homes to let.
The workshops will take place on Wednesday, February 21 at Stockton International Family Centre, Skinner Street, Stockton.
Discussions are ongoing regarding exactly how the second and third phases of this exciting regeneration project will look, but it is fair to say this will be a dramatic redevelopment of this area of Stockton.
At Darlington Back Lane, we are working in partnership with Taylor Woodrow, which has purchased land from the council on the condition that homes are offered for shared ownership (SO). SO is a scheme where people can take out a mortgage for part of a home, usually an initial 50 per cent, and then either buy the remaining shares in stages or pay rent on the remainder.
For the 10 two bedroomed houses we are buying from Taylor Woodrow on this site, residents can acquire the home by paying half the market value through a mortgage and then paying rent on the remaining 50 per cent.
The first four homes have already been handed over to residents. We expect the remaining six to follow during the coming year and we look forward to working in Stockton for years to come.
December 12th 2006
WORK STARTS ON BISHOP AUCKLAND YOUNG MUMS DEVELOPMENT
Tees Valley Housing Group has started work on the development of new homes to help teenage mothers in the Wear Valley find independence.
Following the success of award-winning projects in Darlington, Hartlepool and Sunderland, the development in Coney Avenue, on Bishop Auckland’s Woodhouse Close estate, will house nine teenage mothers.
As well as nine two-bedroom apartments, the site will include office space and staff accommodation, as well as communal gardens, laundry and lounge area and a guest room.
By bringing young mothers together in a supported environment, they are able to interact with people in a similar position to themselves, learn independence and be relieved of the stigma often carried by their situation.
The project is being developed in partnership with Durham and District Supporting People Partnership.
Tees Valley Housing Group is working with builders Southdale Homes, architects ADG, project managers at Faithful + Gould and clerk of works the NAP Partnership to complete the development by the end of August 2007.
In 2005, TVHG won two prestigious industry accolades at the iNbiz Awards, held by the National Housing Federation. Not only did the Group’s young mothers’ units in Darlington, Hartlepool and Sunderland take the Griffiths Independent Living Award, TVHG also took the event’s overall inBiz National Housing Federation Award for the best schemes across all categories.
Alison Thain, Tees Valley Housing Group’s chief executive, said: “In Darlington, Sunderland and Hartlepool, we have shown that projects such as the one we are developing in Bishop Auckland can have a real and positive impact on the lives of these young mothers. There is an often unfair and unfortunate stigma attached to being a young single mother, but by putting teenage mums together with support when they need it, we can help to take that stigma away and get them back on their feet and ready for independence. We are looking forward to reproducing that good work in Bishop Auckland when the Coney Avenue project is completed in 2007.
7th December 2006
DURHAM RESIDENTS TO BENEFIT FROM NEW 'ECO FRIENDLY' BUNGALOWS
The development of eight 2-bedroom bungalows at West Rainton in County Durham has been completed by Three Rivers Housing Group.
The scheme is the first of two phases which have been developed within this local County Durham village. The homes have been designed to ‘Lifetime Homes Standards’ to achieve an ‘Eco-homes’ rating of very good. This is equivalent to a 30% reduction in annual CO2 emissions per home and provides tenants with the opportunity to live in well designed and comfortable homes which will cost less to heat up in the winter and will stay cooler when the weather is hotter in the summer.
Three Rivers’ aim is to continually strive to provide more affordable homes in the North East for its customers. This scheme demonstrates high quality production whilst maximising efficiencies in production.
Each home has been built using the Beco Wallform System to help reduce construction time which reduces preliminary costs such as site set-up and supervision costs.
David Brown, Development and Regeneration Manager at Three Rivers said, “The whole project design team, including contractor CGR Ecohomes and Robin Miller of Beco Wallform, have worked well together to bring the scheme about, on what is a very restrictive site and with tight budgetary constraints. Such is our confidence in the team and the product that we have already started working on the next two proposed scheme designs.”
Cllr. Les Thomson, Portfolio Holder for Housing at Durham City Council, said; “Providing affordable homes in appropriate areas throughout the District is one of the Council’s priorities. Ensuring those homes are energy efficient with low running costs is a necessity for any Social Housing Developer who seeks to work in partnership with the City Council. We are delighted that Three Rivers has risen to the challenge so quickly and look forward to working on other developments throughout the District.”
Julie Jacques, Head of Investment in the North East from The Housing Corporation said, “I am delighted that the Housing Corporation has been able to work in partnership with Three Rivers Housing Association to enable the development of these new bungalows at West Rainton. Three Rivers have used an innovative construction method which has delivered high quality, environmentally friendly housing, and I am very pleased that we will also be supporting the second phase of the development. I hope that the people who live here will be very comfortable and happy in their new homes.”
The Housing Corporation awarded £640,000 to the Spirit partnership towards the total project costs. Three Rivers Housing Group is a key member of the Spirit Partnership which also consists of Two Castles Housing Association, Tees Valley Housing Group, Erimus Housing, Housing Hartlepool and Coast & Country Housing.
The Spirit partnership was set up last year to raise the level of social housing standards by providing more and better quality homes at less cost to the public purse.
Phase 2 at West Rainton will consist of a further 10 units for 34 people and commenced on site at the beginning of December.
16th October 2006
TWO CASTLES: THE BEST OF BOTH WORLDS
Work has started on the next phase of one of Two Castles Housing Associations’ most successful developments in the Lake District National Park.
Two Castles Housing Association has begun work on phase three of its popular development at Caldrigg Fold, Staveley, near Kendal, which will increase the total number of properties there to 23.
Two Castles recently won a Housing Corporation grant worth £868, 323 to build another 13 homes at Caldrigg Fold, and the work is expected to be complete by November 2007.
The new properties will include 3 three-bedroom homes, 2 two-bedroom homes and 2 two-bedroom bungalows available to rent, as well as 6 three-bedroom houses which will be available for shared ownership.
As the Staveley development is part of the National Park and next to the Dales Way, all the homes have been designed sensitively to blend in with the original development, which is in turn in keeping with the local housing in the surrounding area.
Like the existing Staveley homes, phase three will incorporate important design features such as false chimneys, slate roofs, dry stone walls, landscaping and external lighting. However, due to their position at the back of the development, one of the homes’ best features will be the large back gardens which overlook some spectacular countryside.
John Hay, development director at Two Castles, said: “We are delighted to have started work on phase three of the Staveley scheme, since phases one and two have proved so popular. It is an exceptional site within the Lake District National Park and the properties have been snapped up by people wanting to live here.
“We could have rented out the original development 10 times over and we expect phase three to attract the same level of interest – but because of their fantastic gardens and position, they may prove even more popular.
“Key workers struggle to find suitable but affordable accommodation and people like these, as well as those on lower incomes, would have otherwise been priced out of the market if schemes like this were not available.
“In villages like Staveley, where the demand for all types of accommodation is high, the provision of affordable housing is especially problematic. There is a need to maintain sustainable, balanced communities whilst ensuring that people with low incomes are able to access local housing at a reasonable cost. We believe Staveley represents the best of both worlds.”
Staveley was one of two developments by Two Castles Housing Association developments hailed as shining examples of best practice in a rural affordable homes guide launched by His Royal Highness, the Prince of Wales, earlier this year.
The Staveley residents will receive services from Two Castles’ Kendal office and join the growing number of Two Castles’ residents who live in over 3,300 homes throughout the North West and North East of England.
The Housing Corporation awarded £868, 323 to the Spirit partnership towards the total project costs. The Spirit partnership consists of Two Castles Housing Association, Three Rivers Housing Group, Tees Valley Housing Group, Erimus Housing, Housing Hartlepool and Coast & Country Housing.
The Spirit partnership was set up last year to raise the level of social housing standards by providing more and better quality homes at less cost to the public purse.
12th October 2006
TWO CASTLES AWARDED FOUR GREEN LIGHTS
Two Castles Housing Association has once again achieved top ratings in a Housing Corporation performance assessment.
Two Castles has been awarded four green lights by the Housing Corporation – the same as the association achieved at its last assessment in 2005. However, the corporation has praised Two Castles for its commitment to continuous improvement.
The housing association achieved green lights under the broad headings of governance, financial viability, management and development.
The report provided evidence that Two Castles:
Two Castles has membership of key regional and sub-regional bodies. These include the Cumbria Rural Housing Trust, the Cumbria sub-regional housing forum, and the National Rural Services Partnership.
It is a member of the Spirit development partnership and is a preferred partner of Assesttrust, a private finance company, who they will be working with to produce a large number of affordable homes across the North.
Stephanie Murphy, chief executive of Two Castles, said: "I am delighted that the Housing Corporation has recognised our performance and has once again awarded us the top rating.
“I am particularly pleased that the assessment highlighted the fact that we continue to demonstrate strong performance across the board and also recognises our commitment to continuous improvement in all areas.”
1st June 2006
TWO CASTLES CELEBRATES 40TH ANNIVERSARY WITH AWARD WIN
Two Castles Housing Association is celebrating its 40th anniversary in style with news of a successful multi-million bid to build affordable homes across the North.
The Housing Corporation has awarded the Spirit Partnership – of which Two Castles is a member - £20.5million to build 385 new homes in the North East and North West of England.
As well as new developments at Slaley Village in Northumberland and Denton Holme in Carlisle, Two Castles will be using its share of the award to build affordable homes at Sedbergh, Staveley near Kendal, Egremont, Windermere, Broughton and Troutbeck Bridge.
And Two Castles’ ambitious plans don’t stop there. There are also a number of other schemes planned over the next two to three years at Gateshead, Carlisle and Kendal.
It’s a far cry from Two Castles’ humble beginnings in 1966 when the Association started life as the Cumbria Housing Society, set up to provide housing for people in need.
The Registered Social Landlord now owns and manages over 3,300 properties for rent and low cost sale across the North West and North East of England and is a top performer in its field – achieving top ratings in the 2005 Housing Corporation performance assessment.
Stephanie Murphy, chief executive of Two Castles said: “It’s fantastic to be celebrating our 40th anniversary with such good news. Last year saw some great achievements for the Association including joining the Spirit Partnership, becoming the preferred partner for private property investment company Assettrust Housing and securing an £18m refinancing deal, which will save us hundreds of thousands of pounds for reinvestment back into new homes.
“Now winning this funding will enable us to continue our exciting development plans for the future to deliver more than 120 high quality, affordable homes across the North within the next three years.”
25th April 2006
TVHG GETS £9MILLION BOOST FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING
Tees Valley Housing Group is celebrating after more than £9 million of funding was awarded to help develop new affordable housing and regeneration projects across the Tees Valley and North Yorkshire.
A total £9,279,499 from the Housing Corporation over two years is spread across ten housing schemes, with funding for each ranging from £188,009 to £1.56million.
The highest amount awarded was for 16 three-bed and eight two-bed houses at Church Lane, Eston.
Thirty four units – eight bungalows and 26 houses - will be built at Whinney Banks, Middlesbrough, thanks to £1.53million of funding, while £1.5million will be used in the creation of 40 extra care units at Eston.
In York, £1.235million will see 10 two-bed and nine three-bed affordable houses developed in Cornlands Road.
The six other developments benefiting from the grants are 20 homes - houses and bungalows, including one for disabled people - in North Ormesby, Middlesbrough (£1m); nine apartments and a communal area in a development at Coney Avenue, Bishop Auckland (£782,000); 12 apartments and three houses on the site of the old sports hall, in Gallowgate, Richmond (£564,490); eight houses and two bungalows on land at Templar Street, Stockton (£500,000); 12 apartments at Roseberry Road, Redcar, as part of the ongoing Courts re-development (£420,000); and five apartments at Nuns Close, Richmond (£188,009).
Alison Thain, chief executive at Tees Valley Housing Group, said: “This money is part of £20.5m of grants the Housing Corporation has allocated to the region via the Spirit partnership, of which Tees Valley Housing Group is a major part. As house prices continue to increase, more and more families find it difficult to afford somewhere to live, so these developments across the North East and North Yorkshire are part of a major, ongoing programme of work which is being done to help people to find a quality, affordable home.”
Spirit was set up last year to raise the level of social housing standards by providing more and better quality homes at less cost to the public purse.
The partnership consists of Tees Valley Housing Group, Two Castles Housing Association, Three Rivers Housing Group, Erimus Housing, Housing Hartlepool and Coast & Country Housing.
25th April 2006
SPIRIT PARTNERSHIP NETS £20.5M TO BOOST REGENERATION
NEW life will be breathed into local communities thanks to a multi-million pound cash handout for a northern housing development partnership.
The Spirit Partnership, made up of six housing associations, has been awarded £20.5m from the Housing Corporation.
The cash means that 385 new properties will be built over the next two years (2006-08) across a region covering an area including Carlisle, Durham, the Tees Valley, Yorkshire and Humberside.
More than 280 homes will be built in the North East, thanks to a grant of more than £15m, the North West will play home to 58 new properties after receiving more than £3m and 39 properties will be built in Yorkshire and Humberside thanks to almost £2m.
The partnership, which consists of Erimus Housing, Three Rivers Housing Group, Two Castles Housing Association, Tees Valley Housing Group, Housing Hartlepool and Coast and Country Housing, has also been awarded a further £1.8m, which could be used on reserve schemes to build a variety of new homes under the project.
Planned homes include bungalows, properties for disabled tenants, houses and properties for shared ownership and supported housing.
Major schemes that were awarded grants from the Housing Corporation include:
The collaboration, which aims to build better quality affordable homes more effectively and efficiently, at less cost to the public purse means the partnership can bid for funding from the Housing Corporation to create high quality, well-designed, sustainable and affordable homes.
Martin Knowles, Chief Executive at Three Rivers Housing Group said: “The Spirit partnership is delighted with the grant allocation from the Housing Corporation. We hope these new schemes will enhance the partnerships reputation by providing better quality affordable homes across the North of England.”
Bernard Williams, Chief Executive at Erimus Housing said: "This is great news as it will help us meet the housing needs of our local communities."
21st April 2006
MORE LAKE DISTRICT HOMES FOR TWO CASTLES
Two Castles Housing Association is to build more affordable homes at one of its most successful development in an exclusive part of the Lake District National Park.
Two Castles Housing Association completed the first two phases of its popular development at Caldrigg Fold, Staveley, near Kendal, in August last year.
Two Castles has recently won a Housing Corporation grant worth £868, 323 towards phase three of the development and work will begin on the additional 13 properties in the summer.
The new properties will include 3 three-bedroom homes, 2 two-bedroom homes and 2 two-bedroom bungalows available to rent, as well as 6 three-bedroom houses which will be available for shared ownership.
As the Staveley development is part of the National Park and next to the Dales Way, all the homes have been designed sensitively to blend in with the original development, which is in turn in keeping with the local housing in the surrounding area.
Like the existing Staveley homes, phase three will incorporate important design features such as false chimneys, slate roofs, dry stone walls, landscaping and external lighting.
John Hay, development director at Two Castles, said: “We are thrilled to receive a grant towards phase three of Staveley as the scheme has proved so popular. It is an exceptional site within the Lake District National Park and the properties have been snapped up by residents.
“We could have easily rented out the original development 10 times over and we expect phase three to attract the same level of interest. Since a lot of local residents are on low incomes, and key workers struggle to find suitable but affordable accommodation, both groups would have otherwise be priced out of the market if schemes like this were not developed.
“In villages like Staveley, where the demand for all types of accommodation is high, the provision of affordable housing is especially problematic. In areas like this, there is a need to maintain sustainable, balanced communities ensuring that people with low incomes are able to access local housing at a reasonable cost.
“The provision of high quality, affordable housing is a key priority in the North West Regional Housing Strategy and we are very pleased to have received funding from the Housing Corporation to enable us to develop this scheme.”
Staveley was one of two developments by Two Castles Housing Association developments that were recently hailed as shining examples of best practice in a new rural affordable homes guide launched by His Royal Highness, the Prince of Wales, earlier this year.
A number of other schemes throughout the North East and North West also received grants as part of a joint bid to the Housing Corporation by the Spirit partnership, of which Two Castles Housing Association is a member.
The Staveley residents will receive services from Two Castles’ Kendal office and join the growing number of Two Castles’ residents who live in over 3,300 homes throughout the North West and North East of England.
20th April 2006
SEVEN STYLISH AFFORDABLE HOMES FOR SLALEY
Two Castles Housing Association has welcomed an award to fund seven new high quality, affordable homes in rural Tynedale.
Earlier this month, the Housing Corporation announced it was awarding £470,799 to the Spirit partnership to build the affordable homes in the rural village of Slaley.
Rural specialists Two Castles Housing Association will soon apply for planning permission to develop seven two and three bedroom homes in Slaley village, Northumberland, with the help of the grant.
Three two bedroom bungalows and two three bedroom homes will be made available for low cost rent, and one three bedroom home and one two bedroom bungalow will for sale under a shared ownership scheme.
Slaley is the largest village in the attractive area to the south of Hexham, but with its idyllic landscapes and easy commuting distances to Newcastle, Slaley has become a victim of its own success.
Homebuyers are now attracted to the area from far and wide, with house prices and demand for property having risen considerably in recent years - making it more difficult for locals to get onto the housing ladder and for key workers to find suitable and affordable accommodation.
John Hay, development director at Two Castles, said: “As part of Spirit development partnership, we are thrilled to be awarded this grant from the Housing Corporation towards the total costs of the Slaley Village development.
“Affordable housing for locals and for key workers like nurses and teachers has become a big issue. We normally associate these problems with urban areas and inner cities, and it is a problem in other parts of the North East, but it is increasingly becoming an issue of particular concern in rural areas like Tynedale.
“Our ambitious development programme recognises our continued commitment to supporting the regeneration and sustainability of our villages, towns and cities across the whole of the North.”
Two developments by Two Castles Housing Association developments were recently hailed as shining examples of best practice in a new guide launched by His Royal Highness, the Prince of Wales earlier this year.
Spirit partnership was set up last year to raise the level of social housing standards by providing more and better quality homes at less cost to the public purse.
The partnership consists of Two Castles Housing Association, Three Rivers Housing Group, Tees Valley Housing Group, Erimus Housing, Housing Hartlepool and Coast & Country Housing.
Two Castles Housing Association has offices at Carlisle, Kendal and Whitehaven in Cumbria, and at Newcastle upon Tyne. To find out more about Two Castles telephone 01228 541161 or visit www.twocastles.org.uk
11th April 2006
TWO CASTLES WELCOMES MULTI-MILLION POUND BOOST
Two Castles Housing Association has welcomed a £20.5million award to fund hundreds of more affordable homes through the Spirit partnership.
Earlier this month, the Housing Corporation announced it was awarding £20.5million to Spirit to build 385 new affordable homes across the North.
As a result of the successful bid, rural specialists Two Castles Housing Association will be developing 65 properties throughout the North East and North West at an overall cost of £3.9million.
Grants for the following schemes were awarded as part of the Spirit bid and will be developed by Two Castles:
John Hay, Two Castles’ development director, said: “As part of Spirit, we are delighted with the award from the Housing Corporation, and we are pleased to be able to expand our development portfolio across the North.
“In addition to these awards we have a number of other schemes which are likely to be developed over the next two or three years at Carlisle and Kendal in the North West, and Gateshead in the North East.
“We also plan to fund the 14-unit bungalow scheme in Gateshead through alternative routes. Overall, our ambitious development programme will total more than 120 homes over the next few years.”
Spirit was set up last year to raise the level of social housing standards by providing more and better quality homes at less cost to the public purse.
The partnership consists of Two Castles Housing Association, Three Rivers Housing Group, Tees Valley Housing Group, Erimus Housing, Housing Hartlepool and Coast & Country Housing.
28th March 2006
DIRECT APPOINTMENT AT TWO CASTLES
Two Castles Housing Association has promoted John Hay to development director to steer its ambitious development profile.
With his extensive experience of business planning and service improvement, John is responsible for Two Castles’ development profile of the organisation.
He will also be responsible for its relationships with partners such as the Spirit consortium; one of the UK’s leading housing association development partnerships, as well as working closely with local authorities and private landlords.
John has more than 20 years experience in the construction and development sectors in both commercial and project management. He was previously development and asset manager at Two Castles and joined the organisation three years ago from the private sector, following a four year project development role in Saudi Arabia.
John has worked in this country and internationally for companies such as Laings, Bechtel and Yorkshire Water. He has a BSc (Hons) in Building and an MBA from the University of Bradford Management Centre.
John said: “I am proud to be appointed as development director of Two Castles Housing Association. I’ve worked with the team for a number of years already and it is a very exciting time to be involved with the Association.
“I am very committed to delivering high quality, well designed, sustainable and affordable homes for the benefit of people in the North West and the North East. I also believe strongly that we can continue to provide outstanding services for residents and make a significant difference to the communities in which we work
“For almost forty years, Two Castles has provided and managed good quality, affordable homes in the communities that most need it. I am looking forward to continuing and building on this success.”
Two Castles Housing Association was hailed as shining examples of best practice in a new guide launched by His Royal Highness, the Prince of Wales earlier last month.
The Affordable Rural Housing Initiative, run by Business in the Community, produced the design guide to highlight examples of best practice for developers, builders and local authorities. It highlighted Two Castles Housing Association as an exceptional provider of good quality affordable, sustainable homes in rural communities.
25th January 2006
TWO CASTLES CELEBRATES 40TH ANNIVERSARY IN STYLE
Two Castles Housing Association is celebrating its 40th anniversary of providing high quality affordable accommodation across the North.
Its anniversary year follows Two Castles’ most successful year to date – a year which has involved improvements in financial performance, effective partnership working and its commitment to the affordable homes agenda.
Two Castles began in 1966 as the Cumbria Housing Society to provide housing for people in need. Over the last 40 years, it has delivered many varied high quality projects across the North East and North West, and has specialist expertise in development within Northumberland and the Lake District National Parks and other rural areas.
The Registered Social Landlord now owns and manages over 3,300 properties for rent and low cost sale to single people, families and retired people. In 2005, Two Castles found homes for 582 people and let 351 properties.
Other 2005 highlights have included:
Newly-appointed Stephanie Murphy, Two Castles’ chief executive, said: “It’s fantastic to be celebrating our 40th anniversary after having such a successful year and we will be sharing our success with our residents and staff.
“We’re planning a number of events as a thank you for everyone involved in Two Castles, but we will also be celebrating our anniversary year by building on our success with even more ambitious plans.
“We have just made our largest ever bid to the Housing Corporation and plan to expand our development programme to drive forward the delivery of more high quality and affordable homes across the North.“