Esh delivers for Believe in Easington
An £11m, 96-strong affordable homes project has been completed on the site of a long-demolished working men’s club in the County Durham village.
Esh Construction partnered with one of the North East’s largest housing associations, believe housing, to bring forward the scheme.
The project has transformed a previously derelict site and delivered 28 two-bedroom houses, 54 three–bedroom houses, 6 four-bedroom houses and 8 two-bedroom bungalows for affordable rent and rent to buy.
Esh Construction’s land and partnerships director, Laura Devaney, was integral in developing the initial proposals for the scheme and was on site to mark its completion.
She said: “The collaborative working of all parties involved – from the early concept through the planning process and then into construction – has been key to the success of this project. I’m thrilled to see another land led development come full circle and deliver incredibly desirable affordable homes.”
Esh said its end-to-end, land-led approach to affordable housing projects was key.
As one of those contractors in the UK that can apply for grants under the current Homes England Affordable Homes Programme 2021-26, as well as the preceding programme, Esh can also support providers with funding as part of its land led solution.
Devaney added: “On this development, using our status as an investment partner, we secured the grant from Homes England using a phased approach split over two affordable homes programmes.
“Through our land led approach, we aim to alleviate work for providers, allowing them to focus on weighing up site viability for location, rent and sales purposes, while we focus on technical detail and design. Ultimately, the aim is for each party to focus on their own expertise, and marrying the two together can bring greater success.”
The development includes believe housing’s largest rent to buy allocation to date, with the housing provider experiencing strong demand for the new homes and all rent to buy properties reaching full reservation in record time.
Kate Abson, director of development at believe housing, said: “Seaside Lane is a really important scheme for believe housing, helping us to meet demand for affordable homes in the local area as we have seen significant interest from people who want to live here.
“It has delivered brand new high-quality homes that people aspire to live in, and a mixed community where people can thrive. A lot of people who aspire to get on the property ladder are using the opportunities created at Seaside Lane to do that.”
