A contractor has been appointed to deliver the transformation of a landmark Georgian Square in the heart of North Shields.
Aurora Properties, acting on behalf of North Tyneside Council, has signed an agreement with Compass Developments Ltd to transform the site at Northumberland Square into 28 homes for sale.
The £5.6m project will see a row of terraced properties on the square’s north side restored to their original use as homes.
The project, which includes new build houses and apartments with secure courtyard parking and gardens, is expected to deliver an economic boost that will increase footfall for local businesses and complement regeneration efforts in the town.
The historic square, now a conservation area, was built in the early 1800s and is considered to be the nearest thing Tyneside has to the celebrated Georgian squares of London, Bath, Edinburgh and Dublin.
North Tyneside’s Elected Mayor Norma Redfearn CBE welcomed the announcement.
She said: “It’s now full steam ahead for this exciting development.
“Northumberland Square is an important part of our architectural heritage – the most complete example of a Georgian square on Tyneside - and this project will not only protect these wonderful buildings but it will give our local businesses a lift and complement our regeneration programme in North Shields.
“I know it’s in very safe hands with Compass Developments as well as a supporting cast of local craftspeople who will come onboard.”
The properties will be revived in a way that is sympathetic to the character of the buildings and local firms will play a key role in the redevelopment.
Extensive work to prepare the site for the beginning of the main construction phase has already been completed and the construction phase is due to begin in March 2019.
The transformation will take an estimated 18 months to complete.
Chairman of Compass Developments, Graham Armstrong, said: “We are absolutely delighted and thrilled at being awarded this prestigious contract and have begun actively looking at how we can engage with the local community and provide a range of opportunities while we are working in the area.”
Graham Anderson (Chairman, Compass Developments), Cllr Ray Glindon, Peter Young (MD, Compass Developments) and North Tyneside's Elected Mayor, Norma Redfearn CBE.