Work gets under way on new rental homes
Work has started on affordable new homes in the latest stage of a multi-millionpound housing project.
Sunderland City Council has contracted North East construction partner Tolent to complete five “stunning newhomes”inStanleyTerrace, Shiney Row.
The Homes Englandbacked development of twobedroombungalowswillcreate properties for affordable rent for people aged over 55 and is the second council-led newbuild scheme to be delivered across the city.
Councillor Rebecca Atkinson, dynamic city portfolio holder, said the £900,000 Shiney Row homes were another important step forward in the authority’s vision to deliver a more diverse housingmix to cater for all kinds of families.
She added: “We’re thrilled to see work move forward on these important new properties that will cater for our older residents, who might require a more accessible home but still wish to remain independent.
“It is vital that, as a council, we step in to complement the schemes that others are delivering, to ensure we fulfil the housing priorities of the city.
"Developmentslikethisone allow us to do just that, building much-needed bungalows across Sunderland that will help older members of our community lead independent lives, and free up larger homes for families.”
The council is committed to bring more than 360 empty properties into use as family homes over the next five years, build117bungalowsandcreate 95newhomesassupportedaccommodation.
Chris Price, regional director for Tolent, said: "Our successful partnership with the councilisdeliveringmorethan 30 new homes in the city, all of whicharecreatinghighquality housing for a variety of needs, including these much-needed bungalows for older people in Shiney Row.
"As a considerate contractor, we're also providing local employment opportunities, supporting apprenticeships and introducing a number of staff wellbeing initiatives over the course of the five-month build programme."
AndreaTaylor,seniormanager at Homes England, which has supported the Shiney Row projectwith£195,000ofinvestment,said:“Wearecommitted tosupportingSunderlandCity Councilwhohaveambitionsto build new homes, and our investment through affordable housing grant allows us to do that.”
Sunderland's ‘incredible vaccinators’ have won praise from a city MP after she got the chance to see them in action.
HoughtonandSunderland South MP Bridget Phillipson visited the Houghton vaccination centre at the weekend to witness first-hand the work being done to roll out the Covid-19 vaccine locally, and thank those involved with this effort.
The site, at Houghton Primary Care Centre, is one of six GP-led centres across Sunderland which is administering the vaccine.
A mass vaccination centre at the NHS Nightingale Hospital
North East also opened on January 26.
Ms Phillipson said: "This vaccine is the light at the end of the tunnel – giving us hope that before long, we will be able to see and spend time with friends and loved ones once again.
"Thanks to the incredible work of local vaccinators, rapid progress is being made across Sunderland.
"I would like to put on record my sincere gratitude to them for the vitally important job they are doing at this challenging time.
“The sooner the vaccine is rolled out, the sooner we can begin to recover from this crisis.
"That's why it is so important that local people continue to follow public health guidelines, and take up the
offer of a vaccine when they receive an invitation from the NHS."
Dr Neil O’Brien, clinical Accountable Officer for NHS Sunderland Clinical Commissioning
Group (CCG), said: "We have made a significant step towards ensuring our most vulnerable patients gain significant increased protection against the Covid-19 virus and I’m delighted to share that, as well as completing care home vaccinations in Sunderland, we are on track to have vaccinated all of the top four priority groups by the end of next week.”
"Remember, for our communities to be fully protected, it is important that we continue to follow the ‘stay safe’ rules and have your vaccination when it is your turn."
The Sunderland Echo and its sister titles across the country are running the Shot in the Arm campaign, calling on the Government to take a number of steps to help boost the vaccine roll-out, including enlisting the UK’s network of community pharmacies to help deliver vaccinations.