Rocket gets ready for take-off

Plans for a new student accommodation development with a potential sale value of around £10m have been rubber stamped on Teesside.

R&H Properties, based in Eaglescliffe, has achieved planning approval on an ‘outline basis’ for its plans to build 200 apartments and a 2,500sq ft bar and restaurant on a 70,000sq ft site in Stockton.

The site, on Bridge Road, is branded as The Rocket after the pub which once stood on the now derelict land close to Durham University's Queen's Campus.

R&H is initially looking for a handful of companies to work with on the scheme, including those that are interested in tendering for it on a joint venture basis.

R&H’s Howard Eggleston said: “This is with a view of providing a scheme and build method for us to move forward on for the academic year commencing September 2014.

“We have looked at obviously the traditional method of build, but feel the pre-fabricated route may be the better option for us to go down after speaking to some existing operators in the industry.

“Clearly this has to be reflected in the price point per bed, and the build programme to enable us to hit the 2014 deadline.”

R&H has set up a website (www.rocketlife.co.uk) aimed at gauging opinions and interest around the scheme.