Coast & Country, one of the largest regeneration and housing companies in the North-East, has signed a development agreement for the first phase of ambitious £22m plans to transform a rundown estate.

The old, poor quality housing on the former Westfield estate at Loftus in East Cleveland is to be replaced with 300 newly-built environmentally-friendly high quality two, three and four bedroomed homes and two bedroomed bungalows.

The regeneration of the estate, which has been renamed Hummersea Hills, will provide a more open and accessible estate with improved car parking to the homes, better road layouts and a much enhanced overall living environment.

Coast & Country has appointed Southdale Ltd as development partner for the first phase of the scheme, comprising 123 homes.

An official signing to mark the start of the renaissance of the estate took place at the Chartered Institute of Housing’s 2010 Conference and Exhibition at Harrogate.

Iain Sim, Coast & Country Housing Chief Executive, said: “The Chartered Institute of Housing event is the leading event in the social housing calendar and we felt it was appropriate that the development agreement signing for a scheme the magnitude of Hummersea Hills should take place there.

“This project will deliver much-needed new and affordable housing to the town and we have also made a commitment that it will offer employment opportunities to local people during its construction.”

Paul Moore, Managing Director of Southdale, said: "The regeneration of Hummersea Hills will provide modern houses built to the highest standards that will advance the quality of life of its residents as well as improving the community and local environment.”

The housing company has held an employment event in Loftus which aimed to match local people with construction skills to the work opportunities that will be available during the building of the new homes.

The new name Hummersea Hills was chosen by children from Hummersea Primary School as part of a competition earlier in the year, re-enforcing Coast & Country’s commitment to ensuring the community’s voice plays an integral part in its regeneration work.