Steeple Chase on

Sep 21 2009 by Sue Scott, Evening Gazette

A STALLED regeneration scheme in Redcar which ground to a halt nine months ago has been given £4.5m to rejuvenate development.

It will receive the largest hand-out made under the first round of the Government’s Kickstart programme - first announced in the Budget, but for which funding was only released this month.

The aim is to prime pump activity, particularly in economically deprived areas, and give a shot in the arm to the building sector.

The £20m 141-home development to rent and buy by Coast & Country Housing Association aims to transform Blayberry and Burnmoor estate into a new community called Steeple Chase, is the first scheme out of 26 in the North-east to have successfully bid for the funds.

Alison Meredith, regeneration consultant at Coast & Country Housing, said: “This support is fundamental to progressing the new scheme, and we are looking forward to getting started. After a nine month delay it will bring a welcome boost to the local community to see work commencing on site.”

The original scheme proposed 100 homes for private sale and preparatory work had started as Coast & Country re-housed residents before the site was cleared. It was put on hold in January, however, as the property crisis worsened.

Keepmoat, a community regeneration and affordable housing specialist, has been appointed as developer with Frank Haslam Milan (FHM) North East, part of the Keepmoat group, responsible for construction.

Also involved in the scheme is Balfour Beatty Management and Guisborough-based DKS Architects.

David Mellor, MD of FHM North- east, said: “This scheme is of major significance for the region and will break new ground in the way housing associations develop and provide new homes..”

Construction work is due to begin in two weeks.

Coast & Country chief executive Iain Sim, said: “As well as supplying much needed homes, Steeple Chase will bring wider benefits as we have set up a working party, in conjunction with our project partners, to look at the provision of local employment opportunities including apprenticeships.”