Hartlepool 47-home scheme set to be one of first awarded funds under Government scheme

A housing scheme at Lynn Street and Whitby Street is one of the first to have funding approved for it by Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen as part of a programme to bring disused and derelict land back to life.

The Tees Valley has been awarded £19.3million from the Government’s Brownfield Housing Fund and is due to see 945 new homes built at five sites in the region in the first year of the scheme.

The amount earmarked for the Lynn Street and Whitby Street scheme has not been announced. Funding is dependent on the 47 homes being granted planning permission.

Last week Hartlepool councillors agreed to borrow up to £4.7million towards the affordable rent housing scheme with the remainder coming from grants.

Mayor Houchen said: “Thanks to this extra Government funding, we can get the ball rolling to build the right homes in the right places and breathe new life into land which is currently not being used.

"I’ve already invested millions of pounds to make Church Street even better for local people and this will complement the great work that has already been done.

“More than that, these developments will help secure thousands of jobs in the construction industry, one of the most important sectors to support in the face of the coronavirus pandemic and help create much-needed apprenticeships for our young people.”

Related story: D-day for 570 new homes next to Hartlepool housing estate

In total up to 1,800 homes will be built on brownfield sites across the region as part of the government scheme and create 2,300 construction jobs.

Councillor Shane Moore, leader of Hartlepool Borough Council, said: “I’m delighted that Hartlepool is leading the way on this very important scheme to bring disused land back into use for much-needed new housing, and that the Mayor is providing this funding, which match funds and resources recently approved by the council for the scheme.”

He said the housing would create vital job opportunities and high quality affordable homes adding: “The development will also be a massive boost for the ongoing regeneration of the wider Church Street area, complementing improvements that have already been carried out there.”

Mayor Houchen previously signed off £18.8million for the nearby Innovation and Skills Quarter project in Church Street.

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