Council welcomes housing cash

Redcar and Cleveland Council is today welcoming the Government announcement that it is to receive a share of £18.25 million to tackle the housing market collapse in South Bank.

The Housing Market Renewal Cash is being divided by Tees Valley Living between the four authorities and a decision on how much will be allocated to South Bank is expected within weeks.

The Cabinet Member for Housing and Neighbourhood Renewal, Councillor Chris Abbott, said: “We are pleased to receive confirmation of the funding that will help us start to deliver a new South Bank that people can be proud to live in.

“We also remain absolutely committed to seeking additional funding sources to ensure we give the people of South Bank what we said we would and what they rightly deserve.”

The Chairman of the South Bank Housing Strategy Steering Group, South Bank ward councillor Ian Jeffrey, said: "South Bank has a well established case. The people of South Bank deserve the money and we are looking forward to an early start to the work so that people can feel that progress is being made."

The Renewal Plan involves the acquisition and clearance of nearly 362 properties - 205 of these over the next two years, of which 142 are already empty.

The first phase of the scheme, officially titled the South Bank Renewal Plan, focuses on clearing the areas of older terraced housing with the highest proportion of voids, while ensuring others are not left in isolation.