Once complete, the development will comprise 67 houses and 98 apartments ranging in size from 2-3 bedrooms and 1-2 bedrooms respectively. The new provision of quality homes brings the total number of properties delivered by Placefirst in the North East to 509, following the developer’s existing sites in Hartlepool, Esh Winning, Newcastle-upon-Tyne and Hetton-le-Hole.

The homes are designed to achieve EPC ‘A’ ratings, meaning residents benefit from lower energy bills and more efficient temperature control, reflecting both Placefirst and Sunderland City Council’s ambitions to create a sustainable community. Caddick has been appointed as the main contractor on the scheme, which will feature a combination of private and communal gardens to provide residents with ample outdoor space.

The name and design of the site are inspired by the landscape of the nearby Galley’s Gill. The apartment blocks will be arranged along the clifftop edge which overlooks Galley’s Gill, creating a distinctive silhouette. A cliff top footpath overlooking Riverside Park, with views of the River Wear and the coast, will also provide a scenic walkway to the neighbourhood.
 

Galley’s View is the second residential neighbourhood in the Sunderland city centre regeneration project, named ‘Riverside Sunderland’, which aims to build 1,000 new homes and 1 million sq ft of office space in the former industrial heart of the city. The Galley’s View plans were developed in collaboration with local architects ID Partnerships and development consultants IC Planning, sustainable engineering consultants Cundall, landscape architects LUC and mechanical and electrical engineering consultants TACE.

The scheme has been made possible through close collaboration between Placefirst and Sunderland City Council. With grant funding being provided by the North East Combined Authority (NECA) and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG).

David Mawson, CEO at Placefirst, said: “Breaking ground at Galley’s View marks a significant milestone for both Placefirst and the wider Riverside Sunderland masterplan. The neighbourhood will play a key role in raising the standard of living in Sunderland, through high quality, sustainable rental housing and appealing green spaces in a prominent city centre location.

“This scheme is an example of what can be achieved when ambitious placemaking is backed by strong partnerships. By working closely with Sunderland City Council and Homes England, Placefirst is creating a new neighbourhood which meets the needs of the local community and will support the wider growth and regeneration of Sunderland City Centre. We look forward to working closely with these partners and our project team to bring this neighbourhood to life, and to continue to meet the fast-evolving needs of Sunderland’s city centre and the wider North East area.”

Councillor Kevin Johnston, cabinet member for business, housing and regeneration at Sunderland City Council, said: “The start on site at Galley’s View is yet another major milestone for our city centre’s regeneration. Drawing more residents to the heart of the city is crucial to help support our retailers and leisure venues and contribute to the overall regeneration and transformation of Sunderland city centre.

“Galley’s View will not only provide high-quality homes for our residents but will also create a neighbourhood that supports the long-term future of Sunderland as a place where people want to live, work and invest.”

Steve Ford, Regional Managing Director at Caddick Construction North East & Yorkshire, said: “Breaking ground at Galley’s View marks an important step in our growth across the North East, and our partnership with Placefirst reflects the residential expertise we bring to projects of this scale. We’re proud to be starting work on a scheme that will contribute to Sunderland’s wider regeneration, and we look forward to delivering high-quality homes that will help shape a thriving and sustainable community for local people.”

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The development has delivered 167 high quality and sustainable homes, comprised of one and two bedroom apartments and townhouses, as well as new public realm, ground-floor commercial units, and communal outdoor spaces. It is Placefirst’s most sustainable development to-date, built with energy-efficient technologies including rooftop solar panels, heat pumps and enhanced insulation to help lower residents’ energy bills while contributing to a greener future for Bolton.

The completion of Deansgate Gardens underlines Placefirst’s continued commitment to delivering high-quality rental homes across the UK. It also represents the delivery of a key part of Bolton Council’s £1bn masterplan to regenerate the town centre, which will deliver modern housing, new workplaces, revitalised retail and leisure opportunities, green spaces, and improved connectivity.

Placefirst has worked closely with the council to deliver the scheme, ensuring that it aligns with local priorities and meets the demand for long-term, professionally managed and centrally located rental properties in the town.
 

Caddick acted as the main contractor for Deansgate Gardens, delivering the project in close collaboration with Placefirst and a team of expert consultants. Levitt Bernstein designed the scheme, alongside Walker Sime, CW Studio, Alan Johnston Partnership and Mackie Project Consultants.

Deansgate Gardens was built on a former commercial and retail site, which dates back to the Victorian era. The new development references the sites heritage, by retaining the name, and the ‘ginnel’ route linking Deansgate to the site of the former Chapel Alley. 

The scheme was funded by Placefirst, along with a £22.6m loan contribution from the Greater Manchester Pension Fund (GMPF).

Commenting on the completion, Phil Jones, Development Director of Placefirst, said: “The completion of Deansgate gardens marks not only an exciting step for our delivery of quality homes across the UK, but also an important milestone in the regeneration of Bolton. This development is a prime example of how we work collaboratively with our partners and local authorities to meet the growing demand for quality, long term rental homes, whilst contributing to local priorities.

“Working closely with Bolton Council on Deansgate Gardens has enabled us to deliver a scheme that aligns with Bolton’s wider ambitions, creates homes for local people, and that demonstrates the important role purpose-built rental communities can play in supporting wider urban renewal.”

Dave Saville, Regional Managing Director of Caddick Construction in North West comments: “Deansgate Gardens marks the second scheme built by Caddick and delivered for Placefirst, with the handover of 122 new homes at the Bolt Works scheme in Halifax earlier in the summer. Both Bolt Works and the newly completed Deansgate Gardens have proven what’s possible when underutilised brownfield sites are reimagined with the community at the heart. It has been a pleasure to work with Placefirst, who share our ambition to create only the highest quality homes for local people. Sustainability and collaboration were embedded from the outset and have ensured a robust design and build process and we’re pleased to have now officially handed over Deansgate Gardens to Placefirst and to have welcomed the first residents.

Cllr Nick Peel, Leader of Bolton Council, added: “Deansgate Gardens is central to the ongoing regeneration of Bolton as we reimagine our town centre and transform our local economy.

“As consumers move away from physical retail, vibrant urban developments like this are the basis of a new model providing the right mix of leisure, hospitality and employment space, alongside traditional shopping.

“As we shape our local plan, this development offers the perfect example of how we can meet our housing targets by delivering quality homes on brownfield land.

“As employers across the borough look to attract new talent to Bolton, Deansgate Gardens will be an important ‘pull factor’, offering quality facilities, town centre living, and excellent transport links.”

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Paul Stephens, 67, who had his lower left leg amputated in December 2022, received the wheelchair through the Newcastle-based Healthworks charity, which purchased it with the help of a £700 donation from homebuilder Lovell and rental property developer Placefirst.

The two companies are working in partnership to deliver 146 energy-efficient rental homes at Benwell Dene, off Delaval Road in the West End of the city.

They each gave £350 to the Healthworks charity, which works with communities across the North East on outreach projects to improve health, wellbeing and life outcomes regardless of the challenges people face.

Healthworks Senior Manager of Health Promotion, Julie Stephens, who is also Paul’s wife, thanked the North East region of Lovell and Placefirst for getting involved.

Julie said: “It’s lovely that they are in the local community and that they want to help. And it’s great when local grassroots charities have some help and assistance, because you can really see what’s been bought and how it has helped.”

The wheelchair has made a big difference as Paul trained for the Great North Run because it is much lighter than a traditional wheelchair. He also trains on a treadmill using his prosthetic limb.

Paul will be part of a 12-person Healthworks team taking part in the event on Sunday 7 September and he intends to complete as much as he can on foot, only using the wheelchair when required.

He said: “Running a half marathon has always been something I wanted to do, but life had other plans. A few years ago, I had to undergo a lower leg amputation, which changed everything. However, it never took away my determination. Now, more than ever, I’m ready to take on this challenge – my way.

“With the incredible support of my team, who will be giving me a push in my wheelchair along the way, and the amazing encouragement from the gym team at Healthworks, I’m training harder than ever. Having recently received my new leg, this journey is about proving to myself – and to others – that no obstacle is too big when you have the right support.”

The team, including Paul, are raising money for Useful Vision which supports children with visual impairments, and which came under the Healthworks umbrella in January.
 

Healthworks, which celebrates its 30^th anniversary this year, offers a range of health and wellbeing services and education for people of all ages and abilities.

As part of the growing relationship between the North East region of Lovell and Healthworks, the homebuilder carried out volunteering work for the charity earlier this year.

Phil Jones, Head of Land and Partnerships at the North East region of Lovell, who is also taking part in the Great North Run as part of a Lovell team raising money for Oasis Community Housing, said: “Paul is inspirational in his determination to achieve this long-held ambition, despite going through amputation, and we hope the sports wheelchair has helped him.

“Healthworks is a life-changing organisation making a big difference to communities and individuals by working to reduce health inequality, so it is an excellent cause for us to support locally.

“Good luck to Paul and the whole Healthworks team taking part in the Great North Run this weekend. I will see you there!”

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New homes are available at Deansgate Gardens, Placefirst’s new £35m development of high-quality, energy-efficient homes at the heart of Bolton town centre, where the first residents have already moved in.[KJ1]

Located just opposite the former Beales department store and within walking distance of Bolton Town Hall, Deansgate Gardens is a stunning new residential neighbourhood of 167 homes, designed to meet the demands of modern renters. The development offers a range of one and two-bedroom apartments and townhouses, [KJ2] [MH3] each carefully designed with spacious layouts, energy-efficient features and contemporary finishes.

Deansgate Gardens is Placefirst’s most sustainable development to-date, built with a focus on reducing environmental impact while keeping costs low for residents. The development features energy-efficient technologies including rooftop solar panels, heat pumps and enhanced insulation, which help lower energy bills while contributing to a greener future. Residents can enjoy a comfortable, eco-friendly lifestyle while keeping their monthly costs down.

Designed with a strong sense of community in mind, Deansgate Gardens offers a range of high-quality amenities including green spaces, rooftop terraces and pedestrian-friendly streets. The development’s central square and communal courtyards provide spaces for residents to relax and socialise, creating a welcoming, connected neighbourhood.
 

The development is also well-served by excellent transport links, with the train station and bus interchange just a short walk away, making it easy for residents to commute to work, explore the surrounding areas, or enjoy a day out in nearby parks like Queen’s Park and along the River Croal.

Deansgate Gardens is a key part of Bolton Council’s £1bn regeneration masterplan, which is transforming the town centre into a vibrant place to live, with high quality buildings and well considered outdoor and communal spaces that benefit the whole community. [KJ4] The development complements the ongoing improvements to local infrastructure and public realm, adding to the town’s appeal and supporting its growing economy.

Placefirst’s dedicated Resident Services Manager and 24/7 maintenance team will ensure that residents enjoy hassle-free living with a fully maintained home, designed for long-term rental. [KJ5]

David Mawson, CEO at Placefirst, commented: “Handing the keys to our first residents at Deansgate Gardens marks a significant step in our contribution to the transformation of Bolton’s town centre. This development reflects our ongoing commitment to creating sustainable, high-quality rental homes in the North-West. Deansgate Gardens is more than just a collection of new homes. Through high quality houses, sustainable design, professional service and attractive publicspaces, it’s a neighbourhood designed to enrich the lives of its residents [KJ6] and complement the wider regeneration of the town. It’s the perfect location for anyone looking to be part of Bolton’s exciting future and, as the first residents move in, we look forward to seeing the neighbourhood thrive.”

Cllr Nick Peel, Leader of Bolton Council, added: “We are delighted to welcome residents to their new home at Deansgate Gardens, they join a growing number of people choosing to move to Bolton town centre.

“They will enjoy easy access to Queens Park which recently won another Green Flag Award, as well as Market Place, Bolton Central Library and Museum, the Octagon Theatre, Bolton Market and Food Hall and everything else our town centre has to offer.

“Bringing more people into the centre is a key part of our ongoing regeneration, creating a more vibrant atmosphere, boosting the local economy, attracting more businesses investment and creating jobs.”

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Lovell and Placefirst have challenged primary school children to design three new safety signs to be displayed at a housing development in Newcastle.

The developers, who are working together to deliver 146 build-to-rent homes at Benwell Dene in the West End of the city, asked the pupils at nearby Bridgewater School to create signs promoting good health and safety practices.

Representatives from the North East region of Lovell, the national partnership housing specialist contracted to build the properties, and Placefirst, the developer and long-term operator of the scheme, visited the school in Delaval Road, Benwell, to give a talk on health and safety to pupils.

Naz Singh, Health, Safety and Environment Manager for the North East region of Lovell, Holly Sale, Brand Manager at Placefirst, and Lee Gould, Head of Pre-Construction at Placefirst, delivered a presentation to educate the children about the dangers of building sites and why it is important to wear personal protective equipment (PPE).

At the end of the presentation, the speakers announced a competition challenging the children to design a new poster to get across three important messages – PPE must be worn, all visitors must report to the site office and no unauthorised access. The three winning posters will be reproduced on hoardings at the Benwell Dene development.

Samantha Robson, Headteacher at Bridgewater School, said: “We would like to thank both Lovell and Placefirst for making the effort to send out a delegation to come along to this assembly to talk to the children about health and safety considerations. Our pupils thoroughly enjoyed the presentation which was a fun way to introduce a serious issue.

“We are keen to introduce the children to the concept of the workplace and this presentation was an opportunity to do just that. We shall also use the issues and topics raised in the talk to feed into the curriculum and incorporate them into classroom learning. The children can’t wait to get their thinking caps on to design a poster.”

This is the latest collaboration between the school, Lovell and Placefirst. Samantha and the school’s Business Manager Adam Beechey met representatives from both developers when they were given a guided tour of the Benwell Dene site in February.

Phil Jones, Head of Land and Partnerships for the North East region of Lovell, said: “The provision of 146 long-term rental properties at Benwell Dene will bring significant social benefits to this part of Newcastle, where high-quality and secure for local families are much needed. 

"Our commitment to supporting the local community in Benwell goes much further than that, however, and we are keen to foster meaningful relationships with key organisations such as Bridgewater School. 

"It’s never too early to help educate children on the dangers that can be present on live building sites, so we hope our presentation managed to get an important message across. We are looking forward to seeing the children’s work and putting it on display to promote good health and safety practices at Benwell Dene.”
 

Holly Sale, Brand Manager at Placefirst, said: “Our collaboration with Lovell and Bridgewater School is a great example of how at Placefirst we are committed to making a lasting, positive impact on the communities we build that goes beyond bricks and mortar.

"This initiative not only delivers important safety messages to local schoolchildren but also encourages them to take an interest in construction and development. We’re looking forward to seeing the designs and to seeing the children’s creativity brought to life across the site.

"Benwell Dene is a landmark development that will bring much-needed rental homes to the West End of Newcastle and we hope to continue to work in partnership with the local community as it evolves.”

The Benwell Dene development is regenerating a six-acre brownfield site located off Delaval Road, providing 119 two to four-bedroom houses and 27 two-bedroom apartments for long-term rent.

Placefirst, a developer and operator of single-family homes, appointed Lovell as the contractor to build the homes in June 2024. Construction started on site in August 2024, and the scheme is expected to be completed by June 2027. Once finished, the homes will be managed by Placefirst.

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The Lord Mayor of Newcastle visited a new housing development in Benwell to see how construction work there is transforming a former brownfield site.

Councillor Rob Higgins, who represents the Benwell and Scotswood ward on Newcastle City Council, was given a tour of the Benwell Dene scheme by its developer, Placefirst, and contractor Lovell, which is building the project.

The organisations are working in partnership to deliver 146 energy-efficient rental homes at the development on a six-acre site off Delaval Road in the West End of the city.

Phil Jones, Head of Land and Partnerships for the North East region of Lovell, said: “We were keen to invite the Lord Mayor of Newcastle to see the work that is taking place at Benwell Dene, as this is an important development not only for the ward which Cllr Higgins represents but also for the city as a whole.

“Providing good quality homes in well thought out neighbourhoods for the rental market allows people to settle in a place they can call home, knowing that everything is taken care of, and they can stay for as long as they want to. This is exactly what Benwell Dene will offer tenants.

“People choose to rent for various reasons and that should not mean that they have to compromise on quality. The homes at Benwell Dene will feature spacious layouts and high specifications, with a variety of designs to suit buyers with different needs and budgets.

“The visit also provided an opportunity to tell Cllr Higgins all about the development’s environmental credentials, including the measures we are taking to improve biodiversity on the site. In addition to this, each of the homes will have air source heat pumps and solar panels to enable residents to minimise their energy bills and carbon emissions.”

The homes at Benwell Dene will include 119 two and three-storey houses ranging from two to four-bedroom properties. There will be 27 two-bedroom apartments built across nine three-storey buildings. Work is expected to finish in June 2027 and the homes will be managed by Placefirst.

Phil Jones, Development Director at Placefirst, said: “We were so pleased to welcome the Lord Mayor of Newcastle to Benwell Dene and share our vision for this new rental community. Transforming brownfield sites into thriving neighbourhoods is at the heart of what we do at Placefirst, and it was fantastic to showcase the progress being made by Lovell on construction.

“The development will provide high-quality, long-term rental homes that offer security, sustainability, and a strong sense of community – enhancing the already vibrant character of the area and helping to ease housing shortages. We look forward to seeing Benwell Dene take shape and to welcoming our first residents.”

Placefirst tenants have long-term flexible leases, and they are allowed to keep pets in their home. They also benefit from having a dedicated resident services manager and a maintenance team on site.

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Placefirst and Lovell, a housebuilder contracted to build 146 build-to-rent homes at our Benwell Dene development in Newcastle, are to form an ongoing educational partnership with nearby Bridgewater School.

The primary school’s Headteacher Samantha Robson and Business Manager Adam Beechey visited the construction site at Benwell Dene last month to meet representatives from Lovell and Placefirst, and discuss opportunities for future engagement and collaboration.

One event already in the pipeline is a site visit by pupils to learn about health and safety, which will be followed by a poster design competition.

The Benwell Dene development will regenerate a six-acre brownfield site located off Delaval Road in the West End of the city, providing a 119 two to four-bedroom houses and 27 two-bedroom apartments for long-term rent.

Placefirst, the developer and long-term operator of the scheme, appointed Lovell’s North East department as the contractor to build the homes in June 2024. Construction started on site in August 2024, and the scheme is expected to be completed by June 2027. Once finished, the homes will be managed by Placefirst.

Phil Jones, Head of Land and Partnerships for the North East region of Lovell, said: “As a socially-responsible developer, we are committed to engaging with and supporting the communities where we build. While regenerating this disused brownfield site and creating new homes for local families will provide significant benefits in themselves, we believe it is important to have a positive impact in other ways.

“Establishing an ongoing relationship with Bridgewater Community Primary School aligns very much with this ethos. It was a great pleasure to welcome Samantha Robson and Adam Beechey to Benwell Dene so we could show them the work that has taken place so far as well as exploring ways in which we can assist the school while this regeneration project is being delivered.

“They were fully engaged during a guided tour of the site and were interested to hear about our plans to build homes which will feature air source heat pumps and solar panels to help residents reduce their energy use while also helping to lower carbon emissions.

“Through a programme of continuous engagement with the school, our aim is to help the staff there give their pupils a more rounded, richer journey though the very important earlier years of their education.”

Phil Jones, Development Director for Placefirst, said: “Engaging with young people about development and construction at an early stage is important not only to help demystify the industry and showcase the diverse range of skills involved, but also potentially inspire future careers. There’s a huge range of opportunities in the built environment, across engineering and design to sustainability, project management and more.”

“With such high demand for housing across the UK, our sector needs to do more to attract the best talent, ensuring we have the skilled workforce required to meet the demand in the future. And while the pupils at Bridgewater might not be putting hard hats on just yet, we hope to highlight how the skills they’re learning in the classroom will be important in the future."

Samantha Robson, Headteacher at Bridgewater School, said: “It was a privilege to be able to visit the site last week. Affordable, rented family homes are much needed in the west end of Newcastle, and we are really pleased this is happening so close to our school.

“Placefirst have a focus on developing a sense of community which is welcomed, and it will complement the work already happening at the Rise.

“We look forward to working closely with both Lovell and Placefirst with the children to develop their knowledge of the career opportunities working in construction as well as other links to the curriculum. Our School Council are excited about visiting the site and being involved in a poster competition.”

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Our proposals for a new flagship residential neighbourhood on Farringdon Row, have received planning approval, marking a new significant milestone within the Riverside Sunderland Masterplan.

Following Sunderland City Council’s decision, we will begin transforming the 4.57-acre brownfield site into a high-quality 165-home neighbourhood by June 2025.

Consisting of 67 homes and 98 apartments for long-term rent, ranging in size from 2-3 bedrooms and 1-2 bedrooms respectively, Farringdon Row will play a significant role in Sunderland’s vision of a more liveable city.

The addition of these professionally managed homes with modern amenities will continue to raise the standard of rental living across Sunderland City, following in the footsteps of the existing Placefirst neighbourhood, Scholars View, located in Hetton-le-Hole.

With each home designed to achieve an EPC ‘A’ rating and boasting a mix of private and communal gardens throughout, the neighbourhood is testament to both Placefirst and Sunderland City Council’s ambitions to create a sustainable community. Designed to reflect the cliff edges overlooking the surrounding area, the neighbourhood will echo the greenery and nature of the nearby River Wear and Riverside Park.

Farringdon Row is the second residential neighbourhood within Sunderland’s city centre regeneration project dubbed ‘Riverside Sunderland’, which aims to build 1,000 new homes and 1 million sq ft of office space in the former industrial heart of the city. The plans were completed in collaboration with local architects ID Partnerships and development consultants IC Planning, sustainable engineering consultants Cundall, landscape architects LUC and mechanical and electrical engineering consultants TACE.

Placefirst have worked collaboratively with Sunderland City Council, the North East Combined Authority and Homes England to secure critical funding to support the delivery of this brownfield site in the Riverside regeneration area.

Alun Davies, Head of Planning at Placefirst, said: “Amidst an ongoing housing crisis, the urgency to deliver better rental options in cities has never been greater. By working closely with Sunderland City Council we’re pleased to have been able to fast-track the progress of this development to help realise Sunderland’s potential as one of the North East’s most vibrant and sought-after locations.

“There doesn’t need to be a compromise between high-quality sustainable housing, green spaces, and accessible city centre living – and Farringdon Row’s sustainability credentials, abundant greenery and central location show our commitment to delivering all three. We look forward to continuing to serve Sunderland’s growing communities, ensuring our homes meet the city’s evolving needs, as we start on site later this year.”

Councillor Kevin Johnston, cabinet member for business, housing and regeneration at Sunderland City Council, said:

“I am delighted that plans for new homes at Farringdon Row will – very soon – be under construction, creating more city centre accommodation that will boost the number of residents living in the heart of Sunderland.

“Riverside Sunderland is a critical driver for the regeneration of the whole of the city centre, as we know that – by increasing our residential population and also driving more businesses to locate here – we can deliver the critical mass of people needed to support our retail core and leisure venues, in turn uplifting the whole area. It’s a massive step forward in a part of the city that is – quite simply – unrecognisable from the place it once was.”

The Riverside Sunderland masterplan aims to double the residential population in the city centre and increase employment by 50 per cent, and also fits with the city’s housing strategy which will see 7,000 new homes built by 2030.

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