Work is underway to create a £12m housing development on a former football pitch in the North East.

The first phase of new homes on the Washington Football Club site are due to be finished by the end of the year.

Housing association Karbon Homes is building 76 homes at the ‘Willow Grange’ development, off Spout Lane in the centre of Washington, with two, three and four-bed homes and two-bed bungalows.

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On completion, the new homes will be available for both affordable rent and Rent to Buy, a scheme which enables people to rent at less than the market rent rate, so that they can save for a deposit to buy the property outright or through shared ownership.

Jill Robinson, head of sales and marketing at Karbon Homes, said: “We’re excited to be bringing this mixed development of high-quality energy efficient homes to the local area, where we know there’s a demand for affordable housing.

“Offering homes of different types and sizes, for both rent and home ownership, this development will provide options for a whole range of customers.”

The development will be delivered in three phases by contractor Mears New Homes.

The first phase of new homes, which are due to be ready for handover later this year, have proven popular with all 12 on phase one already reserved.

Alongside the new homes, Karbon is contributing £100,000 to enhance the facilities in Albany Park.

A further £100,000 will be donated to help provide a new football pitch within the Washington area.

Jill added: “One of our key aims at Karbon is to shape strong, sustainable places and we’re passionate about helping our communities to thrive.

"We’re pleased to be able to offer these additional contributions, working with the local community to help make the Albany Park area an even greater place to live.”

Willow Grange is part of a £44m investment by Karbon to build well over 300 homes across the City of Sunderland.

Less than four miles away in North Hylton, construction is well underway on 105 new affordable homes on Karbon’s £20m College Grange development.

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