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.

Houses plan for factory site

AN ENGINEERING firm is planning to move its factory and sell the land for housing development.

North East Assemblies intends to relocate from The Works, on Station Road, Ushaw Moor, County Durham, to another site within the Durham district, possibly in Meadowfield.

Durham City Council has granted outline planning permission to build 21 two-storey homes on its current site, which it has occupied since it moved, from Meadowfield, in 1999.

Manager Kathleen McGee told councillors the firm had invested £2.5m in new equipment since the move, but its buildings were old, difficult to heat and inappropriate for its work.

Building up community foundations

DESPITE the biggest slowdown in the housing market for a generation, Keepmoat Homes continues to build for North East communities.

Partnerships with local councils and social housing providers mean that the construction of homes for sale, rent and shared ownership is being maintained on a dozen sites from Teesside to Tyneside.

And although the market remains challenging, Keepmoat Homes North East believes it will exceed its revised construction targets for 2008/9, with more than 275 homes being completed, of which more than two thirds are for the private market.

The main focus is in Durham, where the company builds on behalf of Durham Villages Regeneration Company (DVRC) – a partnership between parent company Keepmoat and the City of Durham Council. Work has recently started on sites in New Brancepeth, Ushaw Moor, West Rainton and two developments in Bowburn amounting to more than 200 properties and a financial investment exceeding £20m.

Sheltered housing gets support of councillors

A COMPANY’s plan to build warden-controlled sheltered accommodation have won support from councillors despite a neighbouring school’s objections.

Brett Bros wants to build 16 homes at Middlewood House, Middlewood, Ushaw Moor, on land that is designated as Green Belt.

Members of Durham City Council’s development control committee are minded to approve the plan but need the Government Office North-East to give the green light because of the Green Belt issue.

The committee heard that Durham Community Business College objected to the loss of access by its pupils across the site, considering its removal a “health and safety risk’’.

Councillors agreed to the stopping up of a footpath on the land.

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Housing development is underway

WORK to build new homes for rent in a village is underway.

Durham Villages Regeneration Company, a partnership between builders Keepmoat and Durham City Council, is building 29 homes in Ushaw Moor, near Durham City in a £2.7m development.

The properties, just off Valley Drive at the eastern end of the village near the new Hunter’s Gate development, will be managed by the Durham Aged Mineworkers’ Homes Association and Nomad E5 Housing Association.

The development, due to be completed by the end of the year, includes 18 two-bedroom bungalows, four two-bedroom houses and seven three-bedroom houses which, the company says, will be highly eco-friendly, with high levels of insulation, energy efficient heating and the use of solar panels.

Gordon Gray, chief executive with Durham Aged Mineworkers’ Homes Association, said: “Having recently completed 20 new bungalows at Hunter’s Gate, I’m delighted to be working in partnership with DVRC again to provide much needed affordable homes for the people of Ushaw Moor.”

City Council leader, Cllr. Fraser Reynolds, said: “This new scheme demonstrates our commitment to regenerating the county’s former mining villages by developing affordable homes which help keep communities together.

“To date, we have delivered nearly 270 homes for rent to those on the housing waiting list and we strive to help many others to access the affordable housing they need.”