Work has started on a new housing development in County Durham where believe housing will provide up to 200 affordable new homes to rent or buy.
Following the success of a mixed tenure development on the outskirts of Bishop Auckland, work on a second, much larger £60.4m phase, is now underway – continuing the mission to meet local housing need.
The first phase at Bishops Park which completed last year, saw 99 new homes delivered near to Auckland Park.
Now, developer Vistry Partnerships North East, is partnering with believe housing, to deliver a further 331 homes.
Believe housing has bought 100 of the properties that are being built, which it will make available for affordable rent and Rent to Buy, and has an option to buy a further 100. The remaining homes will be sold privately under Vistry’s Linden Homes brand.
Kate Abson, Director of Development at believe housing added: “It’s great to see work starting at Bishops Park, where we look forward to providing much-needed affordable housing.
“We’ll have a mix of properties available including bungalows and family homes for affordable rent, along with Rent-to-Buy properties – which enable customers to save towards buying their home.
“This site isn’t just about putting roofs over people’s heads. It’s about enabling people to live in a high-quality environment and to be part of a vibrant, wider community within reach of both the town’s amenities and the surrounding landscape.”
The first residents are expected to move into the new phase two properties in early 2023 with completion of the build programme expected in October 2026. Negotiated as part of the project, Vistry Partnerships North East will contribute over £325,000 towards infrastructure improvements to Coundon Gate Roundabout – the junction of the A689 and A688.
In addition, the project will create 13 jobs and provide 35 work placements for local people. Finally, possibility of Vistry creating an extra care facility for older people and those with particular support needs on the site in the future, are also being explored.
Development Director with Vistry Partnerships North East, Andrew Rennie, said: “After the success of the first phase at Bishops Park, which helped increase both the choice and quality of housing for local people, we are delighted to be partnering with believe housing to create more affordable homes – and to further enhance this vibrant and sustainable community on the edge of Bishop Auckland.”
To find out more about our exciting development plans across County Durham, please click here.
New affordable bungalows from believe housing are helping to address the needs of people on the social housing waiting list in County Durham.
Affordable bungalows being built in County Durham have been designed with energy efficiency and flexibility in mind, so they work well for customers and the planet into the future.
Leaving their family home after half a century was a wrench for Malcolm and Barbara Clement, until they found the ideal new bungalow with believe housing.
Hundreds of affordable homes are under construction as a north-east housing association continues to realise its ambitious new build programme.
