AN innovative housing and workplace project has been officially opened.

The new homes have been built as part of an Urban Pioneers project by North Star Housing Group at Middlesbrough’s Middlehaven site.

The scheme, which is designed to attract entrepreneurial people to the town, was delivered through a joint venture between Middlesbrough Council and the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA).

The new homes are live/work units which means not only do they offer affordable accommodation but they create the ideal environment for new enterprises to flourish.

Angela Lockwood, chief executive for North Star, said: “These innovative homes are the first to be developed as part of the Urban Pioneers scheme – we really are pioneers here and we hope that it’s the start of an exciting new community.

“We’re excited to be able to deliver something new to the area; the homes provide a place for tenants to run and grow a business from home, or provide a place for residents to work comfortably from home.”

The housing association, along with Hartlepool company Gus Robinson Developments, built nine new two bedroom homes which sit alongside the Urban Park.

Councillor Charlie Rooney, Middlesbrough Council’s executive member for regeneration, said: “Middlehaven is one of the key regeneration sites in the region, and a potent symbol of the confidence Middlesbrough has in its future. This is just the latest stride forward in what is an exciting new chapter for the town, and I look forward to following the progress of the first entrepreneurs to move into the units.”