Work starts on £4m estate in pit village

The scheme at Argyle Place, in South Hetton, is expected to breathe new life into a run-down residential estate.

The project is a joint venture between the Accent Group and Easington District Council.

At a ceremony yesterday, the authority's deputy leader, Robin Todd, signalled the official commencement of work.

He said: "We are pleased to support the Argyle Place development which will see a significant investment in the future of South Hetton."

In the first phase of the development, boarded-up houses will be demolished and then work will start on the construction of the houses.

The development will include nine two-bedroomed bungalows, 13 two-bedroomed houses and 11 three-bedroomed homes.

Seven of the houses will be for sale, 11 have been earmarked for shared ownership and 15 will be for rent.

A spokeswoman for Accent said: "The range of homes available will give homeowners, firsttime buyers and people wanting to rent a number of choices at affordable prices."

The Accent Group is one of the UK's leading companies in the field of affordable housing, as well as being involved in providing health, regeneration and education services.

Across the North-East, the group manages more than 3,000 properties and employs about 100 staff from its operational centres in Middlesbrough and Blackhall.

The South Hetton development, which will include a number of two-bedroomed bungalows for elderly and disabled people, has been widely welcomed in the former pit village, where the Argyle Place estate had become something of an eyesore.

It is estimated the estate will be completed by the early summer of next year.

Accent's head of residential development, Andy Gamble, said: "This is our first housing development in the area for some time.

"When it is finished, it will create a sustainable, mixed community and offer local residents much-needed affordable accommodation in a range of house types and tenures."