County Durham based Esh Construction completes £18m affordable housing development in Middlesbrough

County Durham based Esh Construction completes £18m affordable housing development in Middlesbrough (Image : Supplied)

Kedward Avenue development is the second of three major housing developments delivered for Thirteen Group in 2026. 

Esh Construction has marked the completion of the Kedward Avenue development in Middlesbrough, with all 105 new homes now handed over to Thirteen Group. 

Delivered on land formerly occupied by three tower blocks at Brambles Farm which were demolished in 2018, the development provides a mix of houses, bungalows and apartments for affordable rent, helping meet local housing need while transforming a key site within the community. 

A key feature of the scheme is the inclusion of 10 net zero carbon homes, developed as part of Thirteen Group’s commitment to exploring lower-carbon housing solutions and its wider ambition to become a net zero organisation by 2050.  

Mark Binns, Operations Director at Esh Construction, said: “Completing Kedward Avenue and handing over all 105 homes is a fantastic achievement for everyone involved. Alongside delivering high-quality, affordable homes, the scheme has allowed us to support Thirteen’s ambitions around lower-carbon housing provision, with the net zero homes playing an important role in shaping future approaches to sustainability.” 

The Kedward Avenue scheme was delivered using modern methods of construction, with all homes built using timber frame to support build efficiency and environmental performance. The project also required close collaboration across design, construction and client teams to ensure the net zero homes met enhanced standards while remaining practical, affordable and futureproofed for residents. 

The net-zero homes have been designed to meet rigorous energy performance standards and incorporate a range of sustainable technologies, including enhanced insulation, triple glazing, mechanical ventilation heat recovery system, photovoltaic solar panels, battery storage and electric vehicle charging points. The homes do not use gas, helping to reduce carbon emissions while supporting lower energy costs for residents. 

Kedward Avenue is the second of three developments Esh Construction has completed for Thirteen Group in Middlesbrough in recent months. Earlier this year, Esh completed the Union Village development in Gresham, where 145 homes were delivered, while work continues at the £56m flagship Hillside Gardens scheme in Grove Hill. 

Together, the three developments will deliver more than 540 highquality, affordable homes across the town, supporting regeneration, improving housing choice and helping create longterm, sustainable communities. 

Sharon Thomas, Thirteen’s chief investment and property officer, said: “It’s great to see these neighbourhoods taking shape and the smiles on people’s faces when they move into their new homes. We’re investing well over £100million across our ‘big three’ housing sites in Middlesbrough and through our partnership with Esh we’re delivering homes of real quality.” 

Esh Construction worked in partnership with Hall & Partners, BSBA Architects, iD Civils and Billinghurst George & Partners throughout the scheme. 

To find out more about Esh Construction, visit www.eshgroup.co.uk