THE first tenants of a new housing development have been given the keys to their new homes.

Housing association, The Vela Group, has invested £2m constructing 19 two and three bedroom homes on the Parkfield Road site in Stockton.

And Alex Cunningham, MP for Stockton North, presented keys to one of the first new residents Lucy-Anne Moore, 31, with young son Kian, 3, and daughter Kelsey, 11.

She said: “I am delighted with our new home, it’s in a great location for us. I can’t thank everyone enough; it’s a fantastic start to the year for me and my children.”

The rented properties, to be managed by Tristar Homes which is part of the Vela Group along with Housing Hartlepool, were built by Partner Construction and supported by a grant of nearly £700,000 from the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA).

Previous to its transformation, the site was home to a former scrap metal yard, disused petrol station and garage repair shop.

The development, which was expected to be completed in March 2013, finished ahead of schedule at the end of January. All homes were made available for affordable rent and have now been occupied.

For further information on homes available to rent and to buy through various home ownership schemes visit www.velagroup.co.uk