WORK on the final phase of an affordable housing development is now underway.

The 59-home scheme in Heaton is part of the Chellow Heights regeneration project and is being built by Strategic Team Group for the Newcastle-based Home Group.

The homes, on the old Daisy Hill Sports Ground, will be owned and managed by Home Group and will all offer affordable rent.

Work on the first two phases of 124 homes is now complete, with planning for the third and final phase secured by Brewster Bye Architects.

The third phase of development will include a mix of two and three bedroom, two-storey family homes with parking, alongside a three-storey apartment block of one bedroom properties, which will sit at the heart of the development and include landscaped grounds and parking.

Will Gardner, Home Group’s Director of Development, said: “This last phase at Chellow Heights will deliver much needed affordable homes and help address the shortage of such homes in the local area.

"It will also contribute to our ambitious plans to build 10,000 new homes by 2021-22. So far we have completed the 124 homes in the first two phases with many families already moved in. Work on this third phase is due to complete in summer 2019.”

Mark Henderson, a director at Brewster Bye Architects, added: “The design is in keeping with the context and style of other buildings in the local area and a contemporary design-led development will be created on this previously developed land.

"This final phase ties the first two together neatly and also completes the wider Chellow Heights regeneration project.

“Soft landscaping and tree planting will play a large part in the visual aspect of the development, whilst also enhancing and increasing the biodiversity creating new natural habitats.

"We have used the ‘secured by design’ concept to create a safe and secure environment for residents."

Mr Henderson added: "The houses will be built from reconstituted stone and the apartment block will be in keeping with these, sitting on an island within the site that will not be imposing for any buildings nearby.”

Andy Coates, Construction Director at Strategic Team Group, added: “We were delighted to be able to hand over the second phase of homes ahead of schedule and work on the final phase is now well under way.”

Last month, plans were unveiled for 385 homes on the former Hallmark Cards headquarters site. The proposals to regenerate the iconic Grade II-listed Hallmark House site on Bingley Road, Heaton, were unveiled by the new owners The Investment Room who bought the