PLANS for an innovative new partnership took shape recently that could see unused land brought back to life in communities in the region.

Fabrick Housing Group is working alongside Groundwork North East to uncover opportunities which will contribute to the sustainable regeneration of local neighbourhoods in Middlesbrough and the wider area.

The two companies have signed an agreement to work together on schemes that aim to boost jobs, training and skills, as well as promoting volunteering and community cohesion, across the Tees Valley.

The partnership will also help Fabrick Housing Group fulfill its environmental and social investment objectives.

Alison Thain, Chief Executive of Fabrick, said: “We have always had a good relationship with Groundwork North East and this has delivered some very successful projects in the past. We wanted to extend this to a formal partnership agreement to enable us to act more strategically and thereby maximise our resources.”

“Groundwork is very successful in delivering a whole range of environmental projects, as well as creating jobs, work placements and volunteering opportunities and generally involving communities in practical projects.

“This agreement will allow us to work together to identify any potential projects, which may then lead to their practical delivery, making a real difference to neighbourhoods.”

First on the list is an initiative to survey land owned by Erimus Housing and Tees Valley Housing, the partners in Fabrick Housing Group, to determine if any plots could be turned into facilities for use by local communities, such as allotments or meadows.

“We want a better use of the land we have got so that it is more productive and environmentally sound,” added Ms Thain.

Recently, Groundwork partnered with Erimus Housing on landscaping that has given a fresh new look to an area of Hemlington in Middlesbrough and with Tees Valley Housing and residents to create a multi-use games area in Billingham.

Kate Culverhouse, Director of Groundwork North East, added: “This partnership will enable Groundwork and Fabrick to effectively plan ahead over the next three years to develop ideas and deliver projects that will make real improvements in local communities.

“It is an innovative approach to joint working, and we are looking forward to helping generate some exciting ideas that will boost regeneration, engage local people and provide employment experience.”
 

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