Develop North, a property investment firm based in the North East of England, has committed £1.95 million in funding to support a major regeneration project at the former Hawthorn Leslie shipyard in Hebburn. The initiative, known as Kelly’s Wharf, aims to transform the brownfield site into a riverside residential and commercial community.
Hebburn Riverside Developments Ltd, specialists in brownfield regeneration, is leading the scheme, which has received planning approval for more than 440 homes across multiple phases. The project will also include commercial spaces, extensive landscaping, and public realm enhancements. The initial construction phase involves building nine executive family homes, with the contract awarded to Oakley Homes, a North East-based contractor.
These three-storey homes will feature four double bedrooms, a first-floor lounge with a full-width balcony overlooking the River Tyne, and high-spec finishes including Porcelanosa kitchens and bathrooms. Sustainable design elements are incorporated, such as air source heat pumps, solar photovoltaic panels, dual electric vehicle charging points, and gardens extending approximately 18 meters to the riverbank.
Future development phases plan to add amenities including a day nursery, retail outlets, and specialty shops such as a coffee shop and cycle shop. The project also includes the restoration of the site’s historic jetty, with design elements that pay tribute to the shipyard’s maritime heritage. Notably, Kelly’s Wharf references vessels built at the yard, including HMS Kelly, commanded during World War II by Lord Louis Mountbatten, a great-uncle of King Charles, and the SS Tilawa, known colloquially as the ‘Indian Titanic.’
Michelle Percy, chief executive of Develop North, emphasized the significance of the project as a combination of housing delivery, economic investment, and community legacy. She highlighted the importance of supporting regional developers with complex regeneration experience and flexible finance to unlock sites that might otherwise face development challenges. Percy described the investment as instrumental in not only constructing the initial homes but also advancing the broader transformation of one of the North East’s historically significant waterfront locations.
Mark Russell, co-director of Hebburn Riverside Developments Ltd, noted that the launch of construction marks a major milestone after several years of preparation. He described the first phase as a gateway to the wider regeneration vision and stressed the ambition to create a landscape-led community that honors the site’s rich history. Russell acknowledged the project’s local resonance, pointing out the area’s deep familial connections and the satisfaction of beginning a new chapter for the site’s long-standing community.