CONSTRUCTION
Development – Esh Construction ’ s Darush Dodds at the site of a £ 23m urban park project on Stockton ’ s riverside .
Esh blows social value commitments
OUT OF THE WATER
PICTURE : CHRIS BOOTH WORDS : SARAH WALKER
A “ transformational ” change is coming in Stockton , and it goes far beyond the hoardings surrounding the £ 23m urban park project on the town ’ s riverside .
Esh Construction is delivering the new urban park project as part of Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council ’ s regeneration blueprint for Central Stockton and North Thornaby , which will see major investment through the next 25 years and ambitions to create up to 2,000 new homes in the area .
The County Durham contractor partnered with the council in May 2022 to develop the detailed design concept for Stockton Waterfront Urban Park before commencing its construction .
While work continues within the confines of the park ’ s boundary on a series of impressive , unique play areas and a host of flexible spaces , Esh has been playing to its strengths by delivering a comprehensive social value package to ensure a lasting legacy across the Tees Valley .
“ We are reshaping the land and building the new urban park that will reconnect the High Street to the River Tees ,” explains Darush Dodds , director of corporate affairs and social value at Esh Construction .
“ Anyone can deliver a construction project but it ’ s the added social value we bring that sets us apart .”
As Esh broke ground on the project in December 2023 , plans were set out to create a 20 % social value return on investment through its Constructing Local strategy , a framework built on six Es – employment , economy , education , engagement , employees and ‘ even greener ’.
Almost 18 months later , Esh is on course to exceed that target with more than £ 2m already invested back into the local economy .
Darush added : “ Additionally , 22 Stockton residents have completed a combined 700 weeks working on the job , with 75 % of all operatives on site hailing from the Tees Valley .
“ Our commitment to bringing through the next generation has seen a widespread investment in training routes and delivery of employability schemes .”
Degree apprentices and university and college interns have completed 160 weeks on site as Esh forged key relationships with local colleges and universities .
Northfield School & Sports College and Our Lady of St Bede Catholic Academy have hosted multiple visits as Esh introduced its “ Construction in the Curriculum ” programme , which delivers a timetabled subject through a construction and the built environment lens . Additionally , Esh ’ s award-winning Building My Skills programme has provided students with an introduction to the world of work .
Esh has also been able to call on the services of a staff member to deliver sessions to deaf children at Preston Primary School using British Sign Language interpretation .
Darush added : “ We want to make construction accessible to everyone , regardless of a person ’ s situation .
“ We proactively seek to include and engage with the deaf community to remove barriers to employment within the industry and the Preston Primary session was a huge success .”
The urban park will feature flexible , open spaces for community , large scale events for people of all ages to enjoy .
Market spaces and opportunities for popup cafes and kiosks are also included in this major waterfront development , bringing a significant opportunity to drive change in the town centre .
Esh has also worked with community groups in Stockton to give something back .
“ Working on the Stockton Waterfront project , we are committed to supporting the area ’ s regeneration and we know how impactful volunteering can be and we ’ ve also supported the improvement of key community hubs ,” said Darush .
A team of Esh Construction colleagues volunteered their time to improve the Community Gardens at John Whitehead Park in Billingham by fixing broken fences and undertaking drainage works , general gardening and litter picking , while additional volunteering at The Six Field site in Hartburn supported conservation management and cutting back the overgrown site .
In the coming months , residents of Stockton-on-Tees will be able to see the project develop at pace as work progresses to form the upper park , but the lasting legacy of the project will see the town flourish far beyond the anticipated urban park , opening in Spring 2026 .
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