A North East housing association’s £11.4m scheme in Silksworth will deliver a mix of two, three and four-bedroom homes, alongside two-bedroom bungalows for social rent, with rents set well below the UK market average.
The new properties will help local people find quality, affordable homes, from young couples starting out and growing families needing more space to older residents looking to downsize into a bungalow and retain their independence.
Bernicia will work with Sunderland City Council to ensure the homes are allocated to people in the city with the greatest housing need.
Forty-four of the homes will be available for social rent and two for shared ownership.
The homes being built by Sunderland-based contractor RE:GEN will all feature the latest energy saving technology to substantially cut household bills.
Youngsters at nearby Farringdon Academy worked with Bernicia to name one of the streets in the new development Pepperwell Gardens and as a thank you for their hard work, Bernicia awarded the school £250 from its Community Investment Fund to purchase resources for lessons.
Jeff Boyd, Bernicia Development Director, said:
The housing mix has been carefully designed to respond to local demand, increasing the availability and choice of affordable homes while supporting the creation of a balanced and sustainable community.
“The development will also deliver significant environmental benefits. All homes will incorporate air source heat pumps and solar panels, ensuring they are highly energy-efficient, helping residents reduce their energy bills.
“Overall, the development will make a positive contribution to Silksworth by delivering much-needed affordable homes, widening housing choice for local people and creating a sustainable new community that will benefit residents for years to come.
Councillor James Jackson, Sunderland City Council’s Cabinet Member for Business, Housing and Regeneration, said:
We are pushing hard for construction of more affordable homes in Sunderland, as we know that this allows our residents to enjoy a good quality of life in a high-quality property where they can grow roots and build a better life for themselves and their family.
“We’re proud of this partnership with Bernicia and look forward to seeing these new homes built and being made available for people in Sunderland.
Lee Francis, CEO of RE:GEN Group, said:
As a purpose-driven organisation, we know that delivering high quality homes safely and to the highest standards is only part of the difference a project like this can make.
“As works progress, we’ll be looking at ways we can engage with and support the local community, creating opportunities and making a positive difference beyond the homes themselves – something that is really important to this partnership.
“As a Sunderland-based business, we’re proud to be playing our part in delivering much-needed new social homes right here on our doorstep. Social housing is at the heart of everything we do, and we’re pleased to continue making a positive difference in the communities where we work.
The scheme is due to be completed in late summer 2027.
Social rent homes are let at genuinely affordable rents, helping local people access high-quality housing at costs well below those typically found in the private rented sector.
Bernicia is committed to building 1,000 new homes across the North East over the next five years and to investing £400m in homes, neighbourhoods and communities.
