Work has begun on a scheme to create around 300 new homes in Darlington as part of a joint venture with Homes by Esh.
The two-phased development on Neasham Road, includes 155 properties for sale at Homes by Esh’s Elder Brook Park scheme, and 150 quality homes for council tenants.
More than 400 homes have already been designed and built in-house by the council’s housing and building services teams, as part of its new-build programme which aims to build 1,000 new council homes over the next ten years.
Cllr Jonathan Dulston, leader of the council joined Ian Williams, the council’s chief executive, cabinet members and Phil Brown, executive director of Homes by Esh, for a tour of the site as construction work begins.
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Cllr Dulston said: “This is our latest joint venture with Homes by Esh which is allowing us to bring much-needed homes to Darlington, including our own council homes. It is one of the largest own-build developments the council has done.
“The Homes by Esh properties are already proving popular, selling quickly off plan with around 30 per cent to people outside Darlington, and I’m sure our properties will be a big hit with would-be tenants too.
“Our vision is to build and develop strong and balanced communities, making sure properties are available for working families as well as older people and those in most need.
“All our new properties that have been completed so far have been very popular, with demand for all the developments far outstripping supply, and I’m sure this latest development will be just as popular.”
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The council’s scheme is nestled between open countryside and the edge of the town, with cycle paths around newly-created wetland habitats close to open fields. There will be a choice of two, three and four-bedroom homes available to rent.
Phil Brown, executive director of Homes by Esh, said: “We aim to build neighbourhoods where communities can thrive and Elder Brook Park is no exception. We have been working with Darlington Borough Council for more than five years to improve the housing offer within the borough.
“As a developer, we are committed to building homes which are superior in quality with high specification design. Around 75 per cent of our subcontractors are local, employing up to 50 people a day on site including five apprentices, which supports local shops and the economy as a whole.”
The site is also located close to local transport links, A1(M)/A66, Darlington railway station 1.5 miles, 3 miles to centre of town and 5.5 miles to Teesside International Airport.
Work on the first phase is scheduled for completion in winter 2023.
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