£1.7m funding for solar-powered South Shields scheme

A solar-powered housing project in South Shields is set to get underway early in the New Year, following the confirmation of £1.7million in funding from the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA).

The Reed Street scheme, designed by Four Housing Group will create 21 carbon-negative homes for rent in the Rekendyke area, 12 of which will be houses and the rest apartments.

The £3.9million scheme, which is backed by South Tyneside Council, Groundwork South Tyneside and Newcastle, and One North East, will be among the largest solar-powered housing projects in the UK.

“Reed Street will help to set a new standard for green living in the North East,” said Brian Peel, head of area for the Homes and Communities Agency. “The new homes will be carbon negative, meaning that they will generate more energy than they use, as well as improving a key gateway to the town’s riverside regeneration area.”

The project’s design has evolved over a three-year period, based on the initial carbon negative concept developed by Groundwork. The timber-framed homes will be oriented to ensure that south-facing windows and solar panels catch as much sunlight as possible. Meanwhile, the north-facing aspects of each property will be linked to the next property, providing a further barrier against heat loss.

Councillor Bill Brady, South Tyneside Council's lead member housing futures, said: “We are very proud of this truly groundbreaking scheme, which will raise the bar for future housing in the region. These new homes, which will be available for social rent, will be designed and constructed in an environmentally-friendly way and will have lower running costs. That will make them a very attractive proposition to prospective tenants.”

The new housing, which will be available for rent through Four Housing Group, will be among the first developments nationwide to reach Level 6 – the highest available score - on the Government’s Code for Sustainable Homes.

Work is set to start on site within weeks.