My RHA
Board visit new homes
3rd January 2018 | posted in News
Members of the Railway Housing Association Board recently visited the site of our new, 73-home affordable housing development in Darlington.
The Board were given a personal tour of the Haughton Road site by Peter Elliot, Project Manager at Tolent, the contractor building the homes.
In total, the Association is building 73 new houses, bungalows and apartments opposite Darlington College, all of which will be let by October 2018 to applicants from Darlington Borough Council’s and the Association’s waiting lists.
The homes are being built close to the historic 1825 Darlington to Stockton Railway Line and the development incorporates an engine shed built in 1844. The shed, which has Listed building status, is being converted into mews-type houses.
The whole development, including the engine shed, will have an industrial feel in keeping with the site’s historic past but at the same time providing modern, energy efficient homes.
Railway’s Board members were very impressed with what they saw.
Board Chair Berni Whitaker said: “It’s hard to believe that just over 12 months ago the site was overgrown, with the engine shed hidden from view and in a rundown state.
“Now the whole site has been cleared and you can already see the emergence of what will be an amazing place for people to live.
“Many of the houses and bungalows now only need to be fitted out inside and it was great to see grass, plants and trees already in place so by the time people move in next summer, they will be able to enjoy their surroundings.
“The engine shed is the last part of the project but we can already see the work that is being done to transform it. When completed, it will be full of character.”
During the build, our contractor, Tolent, has been working closely with Darlington College to give opportunities to their students. To date, 63 students have visited the site.
Tolent are also supporting a building research project; they plan to offer work experience on site for students, and are supporting continued professional development for lecturers from the College.
