Gentoo, with the help of the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA), has officially opened a multi-million pound development in the heart of Sunderland city centre.

Around 82 older residents began the move into their new homes, saying goodbye to the outdated Hahnemann Court in the Southwick area to take up residence at the brand new City Green and Benedict Court.

Residents, Gentoo staff members and guests came together to celebrate the grand opening of the development, which has won praise for keeping an existing community together in the move to a more convenient city centre location.

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Pat Ritchie, North East Director of the Homes and Communities Agency, unveiled a plaque to mark the occasion: "These are challenging times for our economy and Gentoo has shown imagination and drive to provide quality new homes and keep a tight-knit community together.

"Our role is to support local councils and housing providers like Gentoo to help make things happen in their own neighbourhoods, and this scheme is a great example of that approach in action."

The scheme took shape after Gentoo recognised that it would be uneconomic to improve existing accommodation at Southwick, instead bringing together two private developments which had stalled due to the recession.

By developing City Green and the adjacent Benedict Court with support from the HCA, Gentoo were able to respect the community’s clear wish to stay together in modern accommodation, with improved access to transport and city centre services.

(CD/KMcA)