15th April 2026

First timber frames installed at £23m affordable homes scheme in Sunderland

Homes are now taking shape at Amberley & Harrogate, with Esh Construction installing the first timber frames at the £23 million affordable housing development in Sunderland.

Delivered on behalf of Thirteen Group, the scheme will provide 96 high-quality affordable homes, supporting local housing demand and creating a new, well-connected community for residents. The development will include 75 two, three and four-bedroom houses alongside 21 two-bedroom bungalows.

Darran Milne, Contracts Manager at Esh Construction, said: “It’s great to see the homes at Amberley & Harrogate starting to take shape, with the first timber frames now in place and strong progress being made across the site.

“With infrastructure works nearing completion and first fix trades about to begin, the next few weeks will be a particularly busy and exciting period as the development really starts to come together. We’re working closely with Thirteen Group to maintain momentum to ensure we deliver high-quality, affordable homes that will make a lasting difference for people in Sunderland.”

Timber frames and roofs have now been installed on four plots as work continues to install timber frames across the development. A further 65 foundations have been slabbed and poured as Esh’s affordable housing team works to complete all foundations this summer.

Over the coming weeks, activity on site will increase significantly as the build programme gathers momentum. First fix works will commence across the development, with windows being installed and plumbers and electricians starting work, while bricklaying works have also commenced.

The first homes are expected to be handed over from October 2026, with the full scheme scheduled for completion in Spring 2028. All homes will be fitted with solar panels, supporting lower household energy costs for residents and contributing to wider sustainability objectives.

The scheme is being supported by Homes England, the North East Mayor, Kim McGuinness, Sunderland City Council and local charity, Back on the Map.