Member Article

Minister impressed by multi tenure housing model

Housing Minister, Christopher Pincher, has been impressed by an innovative North East residential development.

At the invitation of Redcar MP, Jacob Young, he visited Kirkleatham Green, in Redcar, to see the progress being made on a 375-home multi-tenure initiative.

The project is being delivered by construction and regeneration specialist Vistry Partnerships North East in collaboration with Beyond Housing, Sigma Capital plc and with support from Homes England.

Together with another scheme – Bracken Grange in Middlesbrough, also being led by Vistry - Kirkleatham Green is one of the first two new build developments in the North East providing homes for outright sale, shared ownership, affordable and private rent.

Housing Minister Rt Hon Christopher Pincher MP said: “This Government is making progress in delivering much needed homes across the country. Kirkleatham is a fantastic example of a development supporting us in our ambitions to increase the supply of affordable housing so more people in the local area can get on the housing ladder.”

The £61 million development is due to be completed in 2024. Beyond Housing will offer 108 homes for affordable rent and shared ownership, whilst Linden Homes – Vistry’s housebuilding division – will market 187 houses for outright sale, with partners Sigma Capital plc offering a further 80 homes for private rent through its Simple Life brand.

In addition, subject to planning consent, work could commence on a £12 million supported housing village before the end of this year, with the first properties delivered by Beyond Housing in 2023. This would comprise 75 homes for residents living with varying care needs, including 45 one and two bedroomed apartments in a single block, 12 two bedroomed apartments with their own front doors, 12 one bedroomed self-contained houses and six two bedroomed bungalows.

Sean Egan, Managing Director at Vistry Partnership’s North East, said: “It was encouraging that the minister chose to visit Kirkleatham because it is considered an exemplar housing scheme, which is delivering homes of all tenures at almost four times the pace of a standard housing development. This is being achieved by working with our partners Beyond Housing and Sigma Capital. The mixed tenure approach has driven a rapid build pace which, in a buoyant market, has also delivered huge sales success for Linden Homes.

“This success has led to the proposals for a further supported housing scheme which brings a new tenure to the development and even more housing. If approved it would create a pretty unique community, catering for a complete cross section of residents. It is a very exciting project of which to be part.”

Rosemary Du Rose, Chief Executive of Beyond Housing, said: “We are delighted to be continuing our partnership with Vistry on this high-profile scheme which will deliver vital affordable homes in Redcar.

“At Beyond Housing we are committed to delivering high quality homes which meet a range of housing choices for our customers and contribute to the prosperity and regeneration of our communities.”

The supported living village, a concept developed with Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council’s adult services team, is designed to meet an established need for flexible accommodation that allows vulnerable people to live independently. Alongside the homes, it would include a range of functions to help the community come together, such as a social space with a refreshments area, salon, shop, office space for support teams and communal gardens.

Having signed a deal with the government’s housing accelerator Homes England, to purchase the land, Vistry Partnerships North East developed a concept and vision for the site before bringing the partners on board to offer a diverse range of homes to address local housing need.

*Picture caption: Pictured at Kirkleatham Green are (L/R) Marie Kiddell, Homes England; Peter Gallagher, Vistry Partnerships; Christopher Pincher; Sean Egan; Redcar MP, Jacob Young; Rosemary Du Rose and Jon Irvine, Homes England.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Paul Dobbie .