FUTURE
Transformative schemes offer living , leisure and business opportunities
Quality – How Middlesbrough ’ s Gresham development could look .
Mayoral Development Corporation plans to transform the centres of Middlesbrough and Hartlepool are continuing apace , with major headway being made to benefit businesses and residents .
A huge vision is set to breathe new life into the heart of Middlesbrough , with the Middlesbrough Development Corporation joining forces with experienced property developers iMpeC and Buccleuch Property to design a rejuvenated Gresham .
A high-quality mixed-use scheme is being lined up which will see a new housing offer of professionally managed , purposebuilt rental accommodation that the developers say will appeal to a range of people , including young professionals and students .
The proposals will offer high-quality accommodation for around 1,000 people with the aim of attracting and retaining talent in Middlesbrough , supporting the growth of Teesside University and boosting the economic rejuvenation of both Gresham and the wider town .
A high-quality hotel , green spaces and improved pedestrian links to the university campus are all part of the plan .
Subject to the feedback received from both local businesses and residents – and permission being rubber-stamped for assets to transfer to the MDC – work is set to start in 2025 .
Developers iMpeC and Buccleuch Property have actively consulted with key stakeholders – including Middlesbrough Council , Cleveland Police , the university and the NHS - to make sure the project meets the community ’ s needs .
Tees Valley mayor Ben Houchen , who chairs the Middlesbrough Development Corporation , said : “ For far too long , Gresham has been a byword for the failure of those in charge to get a grip . Now we
60 | Tees Business
Investment – A proposed housing site in Hartlepool .
are grasping the heart of Middlesbrough with both hands .
“ We ’ ve got industry experts with a brilliant vision of what is to come – but this means nothing if we don ’ t bring the town with us and work together . We ’ re determined to make this work where others have fallen well short .
“ This will bring us another step closer to getting spades in the ground and making a real difference to the town , rather than leaving Gresham to fall behind .”
In Hartlepool , work on a transformational £ 120m waterfront housing development could begin by the end of this year after existing planning permission was confirmed for several locations .
Plans for a mixed 650-home scheme alongside additional retail , leisure and medical facilities across multiple key brownfield sites in Hartlepool were backed by Hartlepool Development Corporation earlier in the year .
The housing and commercial scheme could soon start on four of the seven proposed locations after receiving confirmation that planning permission approved by Hartlepool Borough Council in 2003 is in place .
The applications will require a section 73 amendment that will seek to amend the existing approval for approximately 900 apartments to allow for a mix of housing types and apartments .
A full planning application is expected to be required for the three remaining areas .
The development will provide a mix of family , young professional , retirement and affordable housing , both for rent and sale , at attractive , sustainable locations near the town centre .
Proposed locations include land off Maritime Avenue near Hartlepool Railway Station and land off Slake Terrace , at Hartlepool Marina .
The plans will complement Hartlepool Borough Council ’ s regeneration programme at Hartlepool waterfront which includes Highlight , Hartlepool ’ s new £ 34.5m active wellbeing hub , which is now under-construction , the expansion of the National Museum of the Royal Navy Hartlepool , refurbishment of the Museum of Hartlepool and the restoration of the Wingfield Castle .
The proposals also set out an ambition to develop leisure facilities such as cafés , bars , restaurants and retail properties .
The development will be located across two designated Development Corporation focus areas of Urban Village and Coast Connectivity .
Jomast has long-established links to Hartlepool . Owner of the iconic Wesley Chapel , it is working closely with Hartlepool Borough Council through the Hartlepool Town Deal and is currently restoring the Grade II listed building to bring it back into use as a boutique hospitality venue .
With the ambitious plans underway , both Hartlepool and Middlesbrough will become even better places to do business and attract further investment .