GROUND has been broken at a key site near Stockton town centre as work to build 143 high quality homes gets under way.

Stockton Council is working with Keepmoat on a £18.7million redevelopment to build two, three and four-bedroom houses and two-bedroom bungalows on the former Victoria Estate.

Open, green spaces to accommodate pedestrians and cyclists will be a feature of the site as well as walkways to nearby shops, bars, restaurants and venues in Stockton.

Planning permission was granted in July 2019 and 20 per cent of the new homes will be provided for affordable rent.

Councillor Nigel Cooke, Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council’s cabinet member for regeneration and housing, said: “It is fantastic to see the heavy machinery now on site and work really picking up pace on this site."

Show homes are expected to be open to public viewing from spring this year and it is hoped the first residents will move in to properties in the summer.