Esh Construction has secured the largest contract in the firm's history.

The £56 million affordable housing scheme in Middlesborough will take the company's affordable housing pipeline in the North East and Tees Valley to £166 million.

Esh held a ground-breaking ceremony to mark the start of construction on the 296 home development. The scheme will consist of a mix of two, three and four-bedroom houses and bungalows built to replace homes demolished more than a decade ago.

The scheme is part funded through Thirteen's Strategic Partnership with Homes England and with a grant of £2.8m from the Government's Brownfield Housing Fund.

The project, which will be named Grove Hill, involves Esh working in partnership with IDPartnership Northern, 3E Consulting Engineers, Elliott Associates and ONE Environments. The first homes on the development are expected to be available in Autumn 2025.

-- Advertisement --

Commenting on the project, Andy Radcliffe, Esh's chief executive, said: "This scheme represents the largest affordable housing development that we have secured. As such, it really is a proud moment to stand alongside our client, Thirteen, and representatives from all partners that helped make this development happen, to officially mark the start on site.

"Combining Grove Hill with developments at Kedward Avenue and Union Village, we are set to deliver more than 540 new affordable homes with Thirteen across Middlesbrough in the coming years.

"These schemes form part of ambitious plans to regenerate areas of the town, and through a raft of social and economic value initiatives, we will endeavour to create a lasting legacy within the local community."

Reflecting on their involvement, Thirteen's chief executive, Matt Forrest, said: "We are delighted work is underway to build these vital new homes in Grove Hill, and so much hard work has gone into making it happen. It is a fantastic milestone and another step towards bringing modern, high quality and affordable new homes to the area. We are pleased to be working with our partners to deliver these fantastic homes in the heart of Middlesbrough."