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Football star opens New Eco-Homes at Gardner Court, Easington

FA cup winning star goalkeeper and football legend Jim Montgomery opened a new development of eco-friendly homes for older people in Easington Colliery on Friday 23rd July.

The Association’s £1.5 million development has been built adjacent to the existing Leech Court Development. Chief Executive, Gordon Gray said, “Gardner Court has extended the range and availability of quality homes for older people in Easington Colliery in line with our commitment to addressing the housing needs of older people in our former mining communities throughout the North East”.

The scheme, consisting of 12 two-bedroom bungalows, is the latest phase of DAMHA’s continuous drive to provide modern, affordable homes that meet the 21st Century needs and expectations of older residents. The bungalows are all equipped with state of the art, energy efficient boilers and solar panels complying with the Government’s ‘Code for Sustainable Homes’ initiative to reduce energy and water consumption.

£624,000 of the investment has been provided as a grant from the Homes & Communities Agency. Local contractors Ronden Builders built the homes, which were designed by Ashdown Architects, with Lumsdon Wood Partnership overseeing the works. The project was facilitated by the Association’s development partners ISOS Developments and was supported by the then Easington District Council.

Resident Marie Yates, (65), said, “My bungalow is absolutely great”. Marie and her husband Malcolm (63) lived in Hartlepool for 40 years and were thrilled when they were offered the bungalow in Easington Colliery. Marie said, “I think of it as coming home. I was born and bred in Easington. My father and my uncle both worked down the pit here. Easington is a really special place and, although it has changed in some ways over the years it’s wonderful to be a part of a new development that is helping to regenerate the village”. She said, “We have already become friends with all of our neighbours and most of them sent me cards when it was my birthday last week”.