£4.5m development in Whitburn successfully reaches highest point with Tolent

A new £4.5m development in South Tyneside has reached its highest point as contractor Tolent held a topping out ceremony to mark the milestone.

Working in partnership with South Tyneside Housing Ventures Trust, South Tyneside Homes and Homes England, Whitburn Towers will provide 36 apartments for the over 55s.

With a mix of one and two-bedroom apartments, this is the latest scheme for South Tyneside Housing Ventures Trust to provide independent living to those within the area, replacing a previous sheltered accommodation facility that was demolished in 2017.

National contractor Tolent started on site in October 2018 to construct the two and three-storey apartment block, as well as a separate two-storey annex at the rear of the site.

Regional director for Tolent, Chris Price, said: “It’s always rewarding to know that we’re contributing to something hugely positive and needed by the local community, creating high-quality homes that will be here for many years to come.

“With over 35 years’ experience within housing and over 5,000 homes built across the North East alone, this is another fantastic example of our experience within this sector and we’ll look forward to handing this scheme over next year.”

Various team members from Tolent, South Tyneside Housing Ventures Trust and South Tyneside Council were on site for the event, and were able to take in the coastal views across South Tyneside and Sunderland from roof level.

Tolent is currently on site in Durham on the £84.5m Milburngate development and Hadrian’s Tower, soon to be Newcastle’s tallest tower.

South Tyneside Housing Ventures Trust was established in 2013 to build affordable housing for rent.