New contractors are being brought in to complete a Newcastle housing project which was at the centre of a political storm, after its original builders went bust.
North Shields-based Orca LGS Solutions was stripped of a multi-million pound council contract to build new homes in Gosforth and Throckley last year, with concerns at the time that the schemes would not be completed on schedule or on budget. The episode was a particular source of controversy given that the firm, which it has now been confirmed has entered liquidation, had ties to Newcastle City Council leader Nick Kemp.
Prior to becoming council leader, Coun Kemp is known to have lobbied the local authority on Orca’s behalf and was its “Director of New Business and Housing Strategy”. Eight months on from Orca losing its contract over the unfinished modular homes in Aln Crescent and Broomyhill Road, the council has announced that it has now appointed new specialists to help complete the works.
