Building homes to meet customers’ needs and aspirations

Hundreds of affordable homes are under construction as a north-east housing association, believe housing continues to realise its ambitious new build programme. 

The not-for-profit housing association believe housing has more than 18,000 homes stretching from Durham’s coast to the rural North Pennines.  

It aims to deliver life without barriers through innovative support for customers new and old, extensive community funding programmes, plus huge investment in building new homes and upgrading existing ones. 

Last year it announced plans to increase its initial new build development plans, that will see it provide more than 2,000 new homes by 2026 in the region. 

Nearly 700 new properties have been delivered so far, and bricks and mortar are currently being laid on more than 300 new houses and bungalows across County Durham and beyond. 

Kate Abson, Director of Development at believe housing, said: “Our developments range in size, property types and tenures but what they all have in common is that they’ll provide good quality affordable homes, in communities right across the region, where they are needed. 

“We’re working closely with our development partners to ensure properties are high-quality and extremely energy-efficient, creating opportunities for people to rent, buy or work towards owning homes that meet their needs and aspirations. 

“And all our new homes, alongside our wider investment and support for customers and neighbourhoods, will help communities to thrive.” 

The 300+ homes currently under construction include 20 homes in Wolsingham and four wheelchair-adaptable bungalows in Witton Gilbert, which are being built by Imperator Developments. 

Former industrial land is being regenerated in Peterlee, where Partner Construction is building 59 houses, and at Consett, where Carlton is building believe housing’s first 18 homes in the town. 

In Bishop Auckland, local firm T Manners & Sons is building ten bungalows on vacant land, at Ramsey Crescent in Woodhouse Close, and 100 properties have been acquired off-plan at Vistry’s Bishops Park site. 

And at Seaside Lane, in Easington, Esh Construction is building 96 homes for believe housing.  

Kate added: “Our new properties are making a real difference to customers, providing them with a fantastic affordable home that meets their needs and those of their family. 

“Our priority over the coming years is to ensure we continue to deliver our ambitious programme, maximising the availability of high-quality affordable homes to those who truly need them in communities across our area.”