Work is underway on two milestone housing schemes that are set to bring much-needed affordable homes to Hartlepool.

A site at Charles Street/Surtees Street is being developed to provide 20 two, three and four-bedroom houses and two-bedroom bungalows, while 25 two and three-bedroom houses are being built at Golden Flatts, off Seaton Lane.

Hartlepool Borough Council is matching-funding a £2.4 million grant that it has received from the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) following a successful bid for Government money to enable it to build new high-quality affordable homes for rent.

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The homes are the first local authority properties to be built in the town for many years.

Hartlepool Mayor Stuart Drummond said: "It is many years now since local authority house building ended in the UK and these schemes are real milestones in the development of affordable housing in Hartlepool.

"The properties are being constructed to the highest possible standards, and there will be employment and training opportunities for local people during construction.

"These schemes are also a great example of how effective partnership working is benefiting the town. The Council is working with local company Yuill, who are building the homes, and Housing Hartlepool which to manage the new properties on our behalf."

The new schemes are among a number of major projects in the town supported by the HCA, including a £5 million investment in the renewal of Raby Road estate, a £4.9 million First Time Buyers Initiative.

Building work on both new housing schemes is scheduled to last around a year, and Yuill are liaising with Hartlepool College to provide opportunities for local apprentices and other trainees.

(CD/GK)