A MULTI-MILLION pound regeneration initiative has been shortlisted for a national award.

The plan is designed to redevelop the Parkfield and Mill Lane areas of Stockton - which could see up to £40m invested in housing and the community.

Focusing on housing renewal, it proposes building up to 400 new homes for sale and rent, together with facelifts to hundreds of other houses.

It will see 187 houses demolished, with the first phase of demolition starting this summer.

Stockton Borough Council has been nominated for the regeneration initiative in the Partnership Award, in the Local Government Chronicle Sustainable Communities Awards.

The award is in the top category a council can enter and is for its partnership with the Neighbourhood Management Pathfinder and Tees Valley Living.

Throughout the consultation process, a series of community events were held, with more than 770 residents attending.

While the regeneration is expected to take ten to 15 years to complete, work has already started on transforming the area surrounding the proposed demolition site.

Chairman of the Neighbourhood Management board Alex Bain said: "Despite the fact that the project has only just started, the improvements have already had a significant impact on the area's involved.

"It is an excellent scheme for the residents of Parkfield and Mill Lane."

Councillor Keith Leonard, the council's cabinet member for housing, said: "This is great news for the Parkfield and Mill Lane area of Stockton.

"It is further recognition for the work being carried out by Stockton Council with Tees Valley Living, which secured £36m for housing market renewal in the sub-region over the next two years."

The partnership is led by the council and is made up of representatives from the local community, Stockton Council and Tees Valley Living (TVL).

The TVL board includes representatives from the five Tees Valley local authorities and identifies areas requiring intervention.

Julie Allport, the council's head of housing, said: "We are very pleased to be nominated for this award.

"It highlights the continuing hard work of the council and TVL teams in developing high-quality homes for local people."

The awards ceremony takes place in London on Thursday.