News

A new housing development in the heart of Thornaby has been given a big thumbs-up by one of its first residents.

Thirteen has delivered 37 new two, three and four-bedroom homes for affordable rent on the site of the former Anson House and Hudson House tower blocks.

The £6.8million development, known as Westdale, saw the housing specialist work with local construction contractor, T Manners & Sons Ltd, to build the homes.

And one of the first residents to move in is 83-year-old Dougie Leeming, who is enjoying life in his new bungalow.

“It’s beautiful,” he said. “I love everything about it. I’ve lived in Thornaby all my life and I was over the moon when I heard the news I’d got this new bungalow.

“My last house was too big but this is perfect for me. I can just walk into the town centre in a few minutes.”

Thirteen’s Executive Director of Development and Partnerships, Joy Whinnerah, added: “We’re delighted to be welcoming customers like Dougie to Westdale.

“It’s a really attractive development offering a great mix of high-quality homes right at the heart of the Thornaby community.

“We’d like to thank Homes England and the Tees Valley Combined Authority for their funding contributions to this scheme.

“We’re also grateful for the support we’ve had from Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council and local councillors throughout the redevelopment of the site.”

NORTH EASTfamily construction company T Manners & Sons Ltd is celebrating after being named as one of the 50 fastest-growing companies in the North East.

The prestigious Ward Hadaway North East Fastest 50 Awards, in association with The Journal, celebrate growth, innovation and the commercial achievements of North East businesses.

Based on financial data filed with Companies House, the list ranks the 50 best performing companies which have consistently increased turnover over the past three financial years, whilst remaining profitable. 

With five divisions including construction, specialist joinery, small works, fire doors and mechanical, T Manners, based in Bishop Auckland, was ranked in the top 50 after a string of varied projects, and winning contracts including a partnership to help deliver hundreds of new council houses in the North East, as part of a £100m investment by Durham County Council.

Simon Manners, Managing Director of T Manners, said: “We’re thrilled to be named in the top 50 fastest growing Nort East companies. This is testament to the hard work and commitment of the full T Manners team, who work really hard to not just deliver a great, quality service and product but to do it in as much of a sustainable and responsible way as possible.

“Thank you to all our clients and partners, who have helped us reach this amazing accolade and we hope to keep working with you to not just grow as a business, but to keep on helping with development and growth across the North East.”

Damien Charlton, head of the commercial team at Ward Hadaway’s Newcastle office, said:

“We are proud to celebrate T Manners & Sons as one of the fastest-growing businesses in the North East. Its continued expansion and steady profitability over the past three years clearly reflects its commitment to innovation and hard work. We congratulate them on this achievement and look forward to their future successes.

“This year’s awards emphasise the innovative vision and execution of businesses across the North East, showing how companies like T Manners have not only overcome challenges but also thrived. The Ward Hadaway North East Fastest 50 Awards serve to motivate and inspire other regional businesses to pursue similar success and growth.”

A FAMILY-OWNED construction company has won a contract to help deliver hundreds of new council houses in the North East, as part of a £100m investment.

T Manners & Sons Ltd has been chosen by Durham County Council as its delivery partner in its plan to build 500 properties, a mix of bungalows and houses that will be truly affordable and let on secure tenancies.

The Bishop Auckland-based company, which is more than 160 years old and directly employs 70 people, has a wealth of experience building new homes for affordable rent, shared ownership and sale with a range of different partners.

Simon Manners, Managing Director of T Manners, said: “We are delighted to have been selected to work alongside Durham County Council as delivery partner in its house building programme.

“As a County Durham based SME specialising in the delivery of affordable housing, we are extremely well placed to create not just the homes which will make such a difference to people’s lives, but also jobs and the wider economic growth this contract will provide.

“The framework contract will be a catalyst for the continued sustainable growth of the business, and the whole team within T Manners is excited about working with Durham County Council.”

Cllr James Rowlandson, the council’s Cabinet member for resources, investments and assets, said: “We are in the midst of a national housing crisis. Not enough properties are being built to meet demand – including the need for affordable housing – and many families are struggling financially in the wake of the recent spikes in inflation and interest rates.

“County Durham is no different to the rest of the country in that regard and that is why we have taken up the government’s invitation for councils to address the shortage.

“We are looking to deliver 500 properties across County Durham, with a mix of bungalows and houses, for the benefit of local people and those in housing need.

“This programme will see an investment in the county of around £100m – a significant boost for our economy. It will protect existing jobs and create new jobs in the construction industry, and associated supply chain.

“In keeping with our County Durham Pound project, the ability to drive long-term social, economic and environmental benefits, or social value, is fundamentally important to us. It’s great therefore to be working in partnership with a locally owned family business to deliver this ambitious programme, which will make a significant difference to those in housing need across the county.

“We look forward to announcing more details of this exciting programme as the sites we are planning to develop progress.”

The council disposed of its housing stock in 2015 to County Durham Housing Group, now Believe Housing.

In recent times, the number of affordable homes built in County Durham has not matched the identified need – 836 houses per year.

In the five years between 2017/18 and 2021/22, the number of new affordable homes delivered (2,647) was 36.7 per cent below the number needed (4,180).

The council’s new programme will see homes built mainly on land already in the authority’s ownership.

Work is well underway at our Tanfield Road site, in Hartlepool, where we are building affordable homes for rent.  The project includes seventeen two-bedroom bungalows, of which two properties are wheelchair-friendly.

Before starting the North Star Housing Development, the site had to be cleared, involving the demolition of a former garden centre, cafe and greenhouses.

Progress over the last few weeks has been good. Substructure works including the masonry below DPC, block and beam ground floors and structural screeds are well under way. The superstructure works have also begun on some plots.

The development was unanimously backed by local councillors who agreed it will bring much-needed bungalows into the town’s housing stock. Supported by Homes England, North Star is investing £3.2m in the project which is focused on the needs of the community.

All the bungalows will have private rear gardens and parking and are light and thermally efficient, with some featuring electric car charging.  The units will be available at an affordable rent to people aged over 55 and the site will include communal planting within the courtyard development.

We are proud to be partnering North Star, HMH Architects, Billinghurst George & Partners and RNJ Partnership LLP to inject new life into this brownfield site.

There’s fantastic T Manners teamwork at our Gosforth Civic Theatre site where three of our Divisions are playing integral roles in the project – our Construction Division is the principal contractor, our Mechanical Division is delivering the plumbing, ventilation, ductwork and sanitaryware, with our Joinery Division crafting the timber bar which is surfaced with Corian counter tops.

The interior is really taking shape now and the scene is almost set for the theatre to unveil its new single-storey extension to increase capacity for community activities and office space.  The works have included external treatment to the auditorium, with cladding and rendering to the elevations, as well as adding electrical vehicle charging points and free-standing secure storage for six bikes. The space has been reconfigured and enhanced with layout changes and a new main entrance lobby, lounge and office space. In addition, new WCs, showers and changing rooms have been installed.  In the lounge/café area there is a stunning pitched roof with timber panelling, with wide expanses of glass flooding the space with light.

As the project is nearing completion, we look forward to sharing some more progress shots with you soon.

Our specialist joinery division recently completed a stunning project at the Commissioner’s Quay Inn, which is located on Blyth’s impressive harbour development.  The interior of the building was enhanced with a beautiful mix of materials to bring the outside in and to evoke the waterfront feel. Our team of joiners created many of the features that combine to make this such a fabulous scheme.  Natural and reclaimed oak timber is highlighted throughout, from the wall panelling, counter and table tops as well as the bespoke, curved bar dining area which is a focal point of the design. We also produced and installed the banquet seating. The overall look is a nod to the heritage of the quay, with a rustic blend of wood and open brickwork that’s very much designed for the demands of modern dining. 

In addition, our team manufactured the worktops in the buffet counter area including the timber and solid surface materials.

The investment in such high-quality craftsmanship has resulted in a uniquely designed space that respects the character of the adjacent conservation area, with the mix of materials paying homage to the site’s industrial past.

For further details on how our joinery division can create and install tailored furniture and fittings for your project, please contact: [email protected]