Framework is put in place to build hundreds of homes
A framework of professionals has been put in place to help build hundreds of new homes.
Sunderland-based BDN Ltd and Identity Consult have beenawardedcontractstosupportSunderlandCityCouncil’s Housing Development and Investment Plan (HDIP), which will see £59million ploughed into building new homes and bringing empty properties back into use.
Gateshead-based Portland Consulting and Elvet Chartered Surveyors, of County Durham, have also been appointed to the council’s ProfessionalServicesFramework.
The aim is to bring more
than 360 empty properties back into use as family homes over the next five years, build 117 new bungalows, and create 95 homes for supported
accommodation through new build, conversion and refurbishment.
Cllr Rebecca Atkinson, portfolio holder for Dynamic
City, said: “The assembly of a highly skilled framework of professionals will be key in allowing us to build on the early momentum we have achieved thanks to our successful projects across the city thus far.
“We’re delighted that all of the firms are from the North East, helping us to keep the ‘Sunderlandpound’inthelocal economy, but it’s particularly goodtoseetwobusinessesthat are based in the city awarded these contracts.
“Notonlyisthisprogramme delivering for our residents, providing high-specification homes for some of our most vulnerablepeople,butitisadding value to the economy too, creating more opportunities forourpeopleandbusinesses.”
Richard Marsden, managing director at BDN, said: “As a firm that is relocating to Sunderland,
and that has a number of developments of our own underway in the city, we are absolutely invested in its bright future.
"Being able to play a part in designing buildings that will enhance the lives of residents long into the future is not only a privilege in itself, but it will allow us to create yet more opportunities for local people as our business grows.”
Mark Doherty, managing director of Identity Consult, said: “Identity Consult are based in Sunderland and in recent years we have helped deliver a number of the city’s most iconic buildings such as the Foundation of Light, the Beam, the Fire Station and Hope Street Exchange. Being part of this framework will allow us to strengthen our relationship with the council.”