Plans to transform eyesore South Shields building into affordable homes

The neglected property, on Beach Road, South Shields, has been bought by South Tyneside Housing Ventures Trust.

The housing company is set to convert the building into four three-bedroomed apartments for affordable rent.

The former residential boarding house has been derelict for more than a decade and has fallen into a state of disrepair.

Brian Scott, company secretary of the Ventures Trust, said: “We bought the building in March this year and since then we have been working with architects, planners, structural surveyors and building control to develop a scheme.

The building is going to require extensive work, but clearing, securing and cleaning has already been completed and the refurbishment is about to get underway.”

The scheme was awarded £200,000 in grant funding from Homes England.

South Tyneside Homes’ Property Services team will be carrying out the refurbishment work.

Coun Mark Walsh, Lead Member for Housing and Transport on South Tyneside Council, said: “It’s great to see this empty property being brought back into use to boost the local supply of affordable housing.

“The building has been boarded up for several years and has been an eyesore so there is real enthusiasm and support for this refurbishment project among local people.

“I am very much looking forward to seeing it transformed into high quality apartments.”

The work is scheduled to be completed early next year.

South Tyneside Housing Ventures Trust was established in 2013 with the aim of building 400 new homes in its first five years.