£20m Hebburn housing scheme progresses at pace

Work to build much-needed homes by leading energy, services, and regeneration specialist ENGIE in South Tyneside is ramping up a gear after the granting of planning permission for the final section of the project.

The company is building 139 two, three, four and five-bedroom homes – as well as 18 two-bedroom apartments – on behalf of leading housing provider Persona Homes over a number of phases which are expected to be finished in 2023.

Being built on land on Hebburn’s Victoria Road West which used to be an industrial site, the £20million scheme began in October 2019 after initial planning was granted, with additional permission for the full site granted in September of this year to allow the final phases of homes to be slotted into the scheme.

The project is in partnership with Persona Homes, which is part of Home Group, with the properties being delivered for private sale, affordable rent, and shared ownership. ENGIE has worked alongside the company to ensure the phased handover of properties, so they can be put on the market, as well as closely working with the company to build two show-homes showcasing the quality of the project.

In addition to the new homes and apartments, ENGIE is also working to improve the landscaping of the new estate with attention being paid to transform the brownfield land into a more harmonious environment which complements the wider community.

Louise Buckton, New Build Director at ENGIE, said: “ENGIE is delighted to be working with Persona Homes to transform land that had laid derelict for a number of years, into a vibrant new estate, complementing the wider Hebburn community.

“The variety of house sizes, and methods of ownership, will allow local residents the opportunity to either make their first steps onto the housing ladder or allow growing families to expand into a bigger home. Thanks to the granting of planning permission for the full site, we can put our plans into reality and help to provide much needed housing for South Tyneside.”

Joe Cook, Executive Director of Development at Persona Homes, said: “We want to be different to the other large housing developers across the UK. All profits from our new build sales are reinvested into the provision of multi tenure developments and tackling housing shortages.

“As well as the social purpose of the organisation, we’re also trying to do things differently when it comes to building the right homes in the right places. We want to provide houses that fit the needs of local people and enhance the existing communities around them.

“I’m delighted to see work progressing in Hebburn as the North East is really close to our hearts. I can’t wait to see people enjoying their new homes.”