Esh starts work after landing record contract

The construction business has been appointed on a £56m scheme for housing group Thirteen in Grove Hill, Middlesbrough.

The development is the third that County Durham-based Esh Construction will deliver in partnership with Thirteen and will bring 296 homes to Grove Hill, with houses and bungalows built to replace those demolished more than a decade ago.

Esh Construction will work in partnership with IDPartnership Northern, 3E Consulting Engineers, Elliott Associates and ONE Environments to deliver Grove Hill, with the first homes anticipated to be available by autumn 2025.

A groundbreaking ceremony has now officially marked the start on site for the scheme.

The scheme is part-funded through Thirteen’s strategic partnership with Homes England and with a grant of £2.8m from the government’s Brownfield Housing Fund.

Tees Valley Combined Authority is responsible for approving the money from the Brownfield Housing Fund.

Two further schemes in Middlesbrough for Thirteen, worth a combined £42m, were announced by Esh earlier this year: Kedward Avenue in Brambles Farm and Union Village in Gresham will provide 250 new homes for affordable rent.

The three Thirteen schemes add up to £110m.

Andy Radcliffe, Esh’s chief executive, said: “This scheme represents the largest affordable housing development that we have secured. As such, it really is a proud moment to stand alongside our client, Thirteen, and representatives from all partners that helped make this development happen, to officially mark the start on site.

“Combining Grove Hill with developments at Kedward Avenue and Union Village, we are set to deliver more than 540 new affordable homes with Thirteen across Middlesbrough in the coming years.

“These schemes form part of ambitious plans to regenerate areas of the town, and through a raft of social and economic value initiatives, we will endeavour to create a lasting legacy within the local community.”

Thirteen chief executive Matt Forrest said: “We are delighted work is underway to build these vital new homes in Grove Hill, and so much hard work has gone into making it happen. It is a fantastic milestone and another step towards bringing modern, high quality and affordable new homes to the area.

“We are pleased to be working with our partners to deliver these fantastic homes in the heart of Middlesbrough.”