PLANS to regenerate a rundown housing estate have taken a step forward following the appointment of a builder by council officials.

George Wimpey North East has been chosen to work with Hartlepool Borough Council and Housing Hartlepool, the not-for-profit company that took over the town's former council housing stock, to help breathe new life into the Dyke House area of the town.

Properties in Moore Street, Marston Gardens, Pelham Street, Harwood Street and parts of Acclom Street, Chester Road, Raby Road and Chatham Road are to be demolished and the site re-developed.

George Wimpey is proposing to build 172 homes for sale and equity share, a mixture of mainly three and four bedroomed homes, along with some two-bedroomed houses and bungalows.

Mark Dutton, the council's housing and regeneration co-ordinator, said: "All of the proposed new houses will be built to high environmental standards, either meeting or exceeding the 'very good' level within the Government's eco-homes accreditation system."

They will have car parking, gardens and other features that people have requested in housing clearance areas.

"The council also intends to work with George Wimpey North East to maximise employment and training opportunities for local people, encourage it to use local suppliers wherever possible and ensure the local community is kept fully involved in the re-development process," Mr Dutton.

Iain Pay, the company's land manager, said: "We are greatly looking forward to the re-development of the site, and working with local res idents to produce a successful scheme. It is very exciting to be working in tandem with a local authority that has such a positive and community-focused vision for regeneration."

It is anticipated that work will start on site following a potential compulsory purchase order public inquiry in mid-2006, and the projected completion date is 2010.

George Wimpey North East was picked in a competitive selection process, with seven companies submitting full development proposals.