nebusiness.co.uk – Commercial Reviews – Commercial and Industry Reviews – North East Regeneration – Keepmoat adapts to new times

A FOCUS on regeneration is helping Keepmoat Homes bounce back from the crisis which rocked the house building industry last year.

Partnership projects with local councils and housing associations to create homes for rent and shared ownership enabled the company to beat its construction goals for 2008/9 (283 properties built against a target of 275).

And, while confidence is returning to the private market, Keepmoat Homes North East remains committed to social housing regeneration.

It has been shortlisted for two major regeneration development opportunities in Newcastle and Gateshead and is in discussion with other local authorities about the provision of new housing stock and mixed tenure solutions.

Managing director Richard Bass said: “Our success in getting through this difficult economic period has been our experience in regeneration and the construction of affordable homes.

“This has enabled us to adapt our business to meet the needs of our local authority and housing association partners and increase the number of properties constructed for them.”

An example is the £2.7m affordable housing scheme in Ushaw Moor near Durham. Delivered by the Durham Villages Regeneration Company (DVRC) – a partnership between Keepmoat Ltd and the local authority – the site features 18 two- bedroom bungalows, four two-bedroom houses and seven three-bedroom homes.

All meet the Government’s new code three environmental standard, which includes high levels of insulation and energy-efficient heating systems, supported by solar panel technology.

The project complements the predominantly private Hunter’s Gate development at the other end of the village – a scheme which contributed significantly to the £20m investment in community facilities made by DVRC.

This includes the award-winning Freeman’s Quay Leisure Centre and swimming pool in Durham City.

Such success has helped Keepmoat Homes develop working relationships with almost all of the region’s local authorities and social landlords.

All this means the company is well placed to take advantage of the returning confidence in the private housing sector. Although visitor numbers are relatively consistent on the same period last year, confidence amongst customers is improving with reservation up over 40%.

This has led to five sites being re-launched in the region, enabling the Tyneside -based firm to increase the number of its sales force.

via nebusiness.co.uk – Commercial Reviews – Commercial and Industry Reviews – North East Regeneration – Keepmoat adapts to new times.

Local footy: Stephenson header earns a draw for Horden – Sunderland Echo

Rain-soaked pitches caused the cancellation of several friendlies on Saturday but Horden CW’s game with Woodley Sports went ahead in Cheshire.

The Colliers, newly-promoted to the Skilltrainingltd Northern League First Division, matched their hosts during the opening 45 minutes despite going in a goal behind.

Simon Corbett’s team dominated the second half and after twice hitting the woodwork, equalised with a Mark Stephenson header 10 minutes from the end.

Bishop Auckland proved too strong for Brandon United, romping to a 4-0 victory at the Bobby Robson Centre in Ushaw Moor.

Wayne Gredziak, a regular scorer in the Northern League, cleverly back-heeled into the net on 25 minutes and before the interval Gavin Parkin produced a clinical finish with a left-foot volley.

Early in the second period, Ben Richardson struck from six yards and when Daryl Richardson produced an excellent cross, Gredziak was again on target.

Despite scoring three times through Adam Nichol 2 and Dean Grayson, Crook Town were overwhelmed by Shildon who struck seven times.

FA Carlsberg Vase winners Whitley Bay, defeated 2-1 by Durham City in their previous game, quickly bounced back to win 2-0 at Gretna courtesy of Phil Bell and Lee Picton.

Federation triumphs in schools business battle (From Durham Times)

PUPILS from the Durham Federation school have clinching victory in an annual business contest.

The youngsters’ idea to turn driftwood and other items recovered from beaches into works of art – dubbed Earth in a Box – earned them first place in Future Business Magnates 2008-09.

The Durham Federation team rose from third place before last Thursday’s sixth and final contest challenge to pip Framwellgate School Durham.

Its success was announced at an awards ceremony at Ramside Hall Hotel, near Durham.

Dave Turnbull, chairman of the judges, said: “Having been involved for four years, I can say the innovation is improving and standards are improving year on year. It gets closer and closer and it’s very competitive.

“The passion that the kids have is brilliant. It’s good for the economy, bearing in mind we’re in a financial slump. What these youngsters are proposing – given the right marketing, some of these ideas could really take off.”

Framwellgate School, whose pupils created holders for mobile phones known as Soxy Phones, were leading the competition going into the final challenge, which saw contestants give 20-minute presentations to captains of industry.

Mr Turnbull, community safety manager for Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service, said: “It’s been very difficult to pick a winner. They’ve all come up with very different marketable products and they’ve learned a lot.

“The Durham Federation project was great because every single gift was different.

It has a unique selling point. And all the gear for the project – given it’s collected through the right process – is free.”

Future Business Magnates, now in its fourth year, sees young people tackle six challenges related to setting up a business.

School teams are partnered with a business mentor.

This year’s contest has featured schools from Durham, Chester-le-Street, Easington and Northern Ireland.

Durham Federation is a partnership between Durham Community Business College in Ushaw Moor and Fyndoune Community College in Sacriston.

Its business mentor was Bramwells Jewellers, in the Prince Bishops shopping centre, Durham.

Belmont School finished third with a project titled Tidy Tops – mesh lids for open-top green recycling boxes to keep tins and cans from being blown away.

via Federation triumphs in schools business battle (From Durham Times).

Suspected stolen goods recovered

POLICE are hoping to reunite power tools and other suspected stolen goods with their rightful owners.

The tools, along with socket sets and fishing equipment were recovered in the Durham City area on Thursday.

Beat officer PC Graham Ling said it is believed the equipment has been stolen from the Bearpark, Ushaw Moor and Broompark areas.

He added: “We suspect these items may have been taken from sheds or outhouses that have been broken into and their owners haven’t yet reported them missing.

Flash floods cause chaos

Journal Live – Newcastle upon Tyne,UK … Newcastle, closing due to electrical problems and a lightning bolt striking a catholic priests’ seminary in Ushaw Moor, County Durham. …

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