WORK has started on two projects to help boost the number of affordable new homes on Teesside.

Two of the partners in the Thirteen Group are providing 15 homes in the Roseworth area of Stockton and ten homes in Throston, Hartlepool, in a £2.3m contract with construction firm Gus Robinson Developments.

The Stockton development is at Rosthwaite Avenue and will see 14 two and three bedroom homes constructed for Tristar Homes along with one wheelchair-adapted bungalow.

In Hartlepool, ten new two and three bedroom homes will be built for Housing Hartlepool, on the site of the former Springwell flats.

Thirteen Group’s Director of Development and Regeneration, Martin Hawthorne said: “These homes will be a valuable addition to affordable housing stock. Thirteen Group’s partners know their areas so well they can choose the right sites and make sure one of our main priorities is met – that homes are provided where they are needed most.

“Working again with Gus Robinson means this important work is being sourced locally, which will pump money into the economy at the same time as helping Roseworth and Throston’s growing and thriving community.”

Both of the new projects are expected to be complete by March 2015 and have been part funded with grant support from the Homes and Communities Agency.

Dan Robinson, chairman and chief executive of Gus Robinson Developments, which is based in Hartlepool, said: “We are absolutely thrilled to once again be working with Thirteen Group.

"These two projects will help our business to continue to invest in Teesside, providing training and employment opportunities and invaluable experience for the existing apprentices we employ alongside our skilled and experienced workforce.”