'Absolutely vital' £5.7m North Star Housing project to build dozens of new Hartlepool bungalows begins

Hartlepool MP Jill Mortimer described two multi-million pound developments by North Star Housing as “absolutely vital”.

North Star is investing £3.2m in a new-build development of 17 bungalows, including two which are fully wheelchair accessible, in Tanfield Road, Hartlepool.

A further £2.5m is being invested in 12 bungalows, two of which are fully wheelchair compliant, in Wynyard Road.

Officially launching the Tanfield Road site, Mrs Mortimer said: “I welcome any investment in Hartlepool but I particularly welcome investment that’s targeted in such a way, with affordable bungalows and disabled units being so important to the mix of housing available in the town.

“It’s great to be bringing a brownfield site back to use and recycling materials in such an effective way.

“North Star is a fabulous organisation. It could have easily gone for houses and more density on the site but has instead chosen bungalows that are meeting a particular need.”

North Star won a tender to buy the Tanfield Road site, which was previously a garden centre and cafe, from Hartlepool Borough Council in 2020.

A Homes England grant of £773,000 is supporting the redevelopment, which began in April, and is scheduled to be completed in May 2024.

All of the bungalows are two-bedroomed with private rear gardens and parking.

They will be allocated at an affordable rent of around £125 a week for people over 55.

North Star chair Anna Urbanowicz said: “We are delighted to see work underway on such an important development in partnership with other organisations, providing wheelchair-friendly, affordable housing for the over-55s. It’s a wonderful way to bring a brownfield site back to life, meeting an important need in the community.”

Councillor Mike Young, the leader of Hartlepool Borough Council, said: “I welcome the investment by North Star Housing which is great news for the town.

"When complete, the 29 bungalows at Tanfield Road and Wynyard Road will help to address a specific need for affordable, accessible homes for the over-55s.”

The Wynyard Road development, which has also attracted a £766,000 grant from Homes England, is due to be completed in April next year.