Families could be moving into new homes built on a major new housing project as early as March next year, according to developers.
Home builder, Keepmoat Homes, has started work on 183 new homes on the Bleach Green site in Blaydon.
The development, which is the latest to be delivered by Keepmoat Homes in partnership with Gateshead Council, will include 156 two, three and four bedroom homes for private sale by Keepmoat Homes, and 27 new affordable homes - which includes five for shared ownership, 18 for affordable rent and four for rent to buy, all of which will be managed by Keepmoat's affordable homes partner on the scheme Keelman Homes.
Funding for the affordable homes has been awarded to Keelman Homes from Homes England.
Gateshead politicians praised the development saying it is a "significant step forward" for the area.
Liz Twist, Member of Parliament for Blaydon, said: "The redevelopment of Bleach Green is another significant step forward in the improvement of Blaydon.
"This is an ideal site for a mix of new family homes to buy and rent and the development will bring new construction jobs and families to the area which will support the shopping centre. I'm delighted to see that work is finally under way."
Coun Malcom Brain, Cabinet Member for Housing at Gateshead Council said: "We are delighted to see the construction of these much needed 183 new homes get underway here in Blaydon.
"The development also includes 27 affordable homes with six new bungalows to provide for our ageing population.
"This is a challenging site and it is through continued partnership between Homes England, Keelman Homes, Keepmoat Homes and the Council that we are able to celebrate start on site today."
Ian Prescott, Land and Partnerships Director at Keepmoat Homes added:
"We're delighted to have started work on the first phase of this development, which follows on from the successful redevelopment of the southern section of the Bleach Green estate by Keepmoat some 10 years or so ago.
"We have a strong working relationship with Gateshead Council and I'm pleased that by working together in partnership we have and will be continuing to deliver much needed new homes on challenging, brown field sites within the Borough."
Brian Kelly, Chair of Keelman Homes Board said: "Keelman Homes Limited are proud to be part of the prestigious Bleach Green development and look forward to working with housebuilder Keepmoat Homes with support of grant funding from Homes England. The 27 new affordable homes consist of 18 Affordable Rent, five Shared Ownership and four Rent to Buy."
The site was granted planning permission in December 2018 and the first residents are expected to be able to move into their new homes in March 2020.
