Old friends team up to create new homes plan

TWO former North East students and longtime friends are behind plans to demolish a derelict working men's club to create new housing.

- COREENA FORD Business Writer

George Jenkins of Newcastlebased property development company Modo Bloc has teamed up with architect Benjamin Kinch, founder of Greatspace Architects, to create a scheme of one and two-bedroomed apartments in West Jesmond.

The pair met at Northumbria University in 2005 while Mr Jenkins was studying real estate and Mr Kinch was reading architecture, and the site holds personal significance as they have both lived in the West Jesmond neighbourhood. Their proposal is to create a community of 43 apartments which would be vehiclefree, to promote cycling and public transport and will include onsite amenities for residents.