New Sikh temple and up to 80 new homes planned for Middlesbrough's Gresham ward

A new Sikh temple and about 80 “good quality homes” are part of plans for Middlesbrough’s Gresham ward.

The regeneration plans have been revealed in a new report to be presented to Middlesbrough Council’s executive on Tuesday.

Once called a “cancer” that needed “cutting out” of the town by Middlesbrough Mayor Ray Mallon in 2005, he admitted in 2013 he had made a “mistake” regarding Gresham and decided to halt the demolition programme.

The report titled Gresham - Next Steps makes a series of recommendations beginning with the need for a development brief for the area and also to seek a development partner for up to 80 residential properties in Phase 1.

It also aims to “support the wishes of the Sikh community” by giving an option agreement on an area of the site for the relocation of the current temple.

A multi-storey car park, community buildings, open spaces, retail development and “live and work” units have all been identified as possibilities further down the line.

Phase 1 for residential redevelopment is the area bounded by Waverley Street, Union Street, Walpole Street and Princes Road.

There is also a proposal for a neighbourhood action plan to be developed with residents and businesses on Linthorpe Road, Borough Road and Parliament Road to establish priorities for future investment.

Since the Gresham project was announced in 2005 the council has rehoused 589 households and demolished 280 properties.

It has also secured millions of pounds of investment for a variety of improvement projects and provided grants for repairs.

Cllr Charlie Rooney, executive member for regeneration, said: “Early discussions have been very encouraging and there is undoubtedly a growing momentum of development in the town.

“However, it is of absolute importance that we have a development brief in place that will ensure that the redevelopment of Gresham is deliverable and achieves the high quality that the council requires.

“The brief will articulate the council’s vision and encourage developers to deliver that high quality residential development that would assist in the creation of a stable, vibrant and balanced town centre housing market.”