Wates has picked up the job to build the first of four new neighbourhoods on the site of Sunderland’s former brewery, taking over from collapsed contractor Tolent.
Sunderland City Council announced Wates’ appointment as preferred contractor for the scheme, which will see it complete the partially built 135-home Vaux housing development.
Work by steel frame specialist Sigmat has continued on the site since Tolent went into administration in February.
The site topped out earlier this month, and Wates is expected to take over next month after Sigmat completes structural frames, floor slabs and external walls.
David Wingfield, regional director for Yorkshire & North East at Wates Construction, said: “We’re well on with the preconstruction phase, drawing upon our extensive expertise delivering sustainable builds across the region and nationally to ensure we meet Passivhaus standards wherever possible.”
The development will comprise apartments, townhouses and maisonettes, using modern methods of construction.
Most of the properties will be built to the 2025 Future Homes Standard, with 21 built to the Passivhaus standard.
The Vaux housing scheme is being partly funded by £6.1m from the government’s Levelling Up Fund, and £2.1m from a separate Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities funding stream.
In December last year Wates was confirmed as the contractor for the construction of a £450m gigafactory on the nearby IAMP business park – which spans land in South Tyneside and Sunderland.
