Keepmoat and Cussins are preparing to begin the final phase of a £200m regeneration scheme in South Tyneside.
The development at Holborn in South Shields has undergone extensive remediation and civil engineering works to transform what was previously a disused industrial waterfront site. Located along the River Tyne, the area required significant preparatory work before residential construction could begin.
Remediation works included the decontamination of the former industrial land, addressing legacy pollution associated with the historic dockyard operations. Engineers also undertook major groundworks to raise the levels of the former dry docks in order to overcome long-standing flooding issues on the site.
As part of the enabling infrastructure, a new quay edge wall was constructed to stabilise the riverfront and support the future development. With these civil engineering works now completed, the site has been handed over to developers to begin the final stage of residential construction.
Earlier phases of the project have already delivered 135 new homes comprising a mix of houses and apartments. All of these properties have now been sold and are occupied, establishing the first part of the emerging riverside community.
The final phase will see Keepmoat construct 47 new homes, while Cussins will deliver a further 109 properties, bringing the development closer to completion.
The wider regeneration scheme has been driven by South Tyneside Council, which has worked to transform the former industrial land into a residential neighbourhood overlooking the River Tyne.
Cllr Margaret Meling, Lead Member for Economic Growth and Transport at South Tyneside Council, said: “This really has been a massive transformation. It’s incredible to think that this evolving riverside community was disused, inaccessible land just a few years ago.”
The Holborn Riverside development represents one of the most significant waterfront regeneration projects undertaken in the area in recent years. By addressing environmental contamination and improving flood resilience through major ground engineering works, the project has opened up land that was previously considered unsuitable for housing.
The construction of the new quay edge wall was a particularly important element in stabilising the riverfront and enabling the development of homes close to the waterfront. These structural works have also helped create a safer and more resilient edge along the River Tyne.
For developers, the project demonstrates the potential of brownfield regeneration when supported by significant infrastructure investment and public sector partnership.
Jabin Cussins, chief executive of Cussins, said: “Today marks not just the start of construction but the culmination of years of tireless effort by everyone involved in bringing Holborn Riverside to this point.
“What is being built here is more than new homes — it is a lasting piece of the town’s future. We look forward to seeing it take shape and extend our sincere thanks to all those whose dedication has made this final chapter possible.”
The final phase will complete the residential element of the development, helping to establish a new neighbourhood that reconnects the site with the surrounding urban area and the River Tyne waterfront.
