A plan to build more than four thousand affordable homes throughout County Durham in five years was unsuccessful. 

Durham County Council has unveiled a new programme to build homes on land it owns throughout the region to improve the performance. 

The number of affordable homes built in County Durham between 2017/18 and 2012/22 fell short of the 836 target per year. 

Figures show 2,467 properties were built in the five years - 36.7 per cent below the 4,180 target. Local housing developer Believe Housing acquired the council’s housing stock in 2015. 

Now, Bishop Auckland company T Manners has been selected to help deliver a £100 million project to build up to 500 new council houses across County Durham. 

Councillor James Rowlandson, the council’s cabinet member for resources, investments and assets, said: “We are in the midst of a national housing crisis. Not enough properties are being built to meet demand – including the need for affordable housing – and many families are struggling financially in the wake of the recent spikes in inflation and interest rates.

“County Durham is no different to the rest of the country in that regard and that is why we have taken up the government’s invitation for councils to address the shortage.

“We are looking to deliver 500 properties across County Durham, with a mix of bungalows and houses, for the benefit of local people and those in housing need.

“This programme will see an investment in the county of around £100m – a significant boost for our economy. It will protect existing jobs and create new jobs in the construction industry, and associated supply chain.”

Durham County Council’s latest housing strategy, which details the local authority’s ambition to address housing needs and support housing regeneration, is yet to be approved after a decision was deferred in July. 

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Simon Manners, managing director of T Manners; added: “We are delighted to have been selected to work alongside Durham County Council as delivery partner in its house building programme.

“As a County Durham-based SME specialising in the delivery of affordable housing, we are extremely well placed to create not just the homes which will make such a difference to people’s lives, but also jobs and the wider economic growth this contract will provide.

“The framework contract will be a catalyst for the continued sustainable growth of the business, and the whole team within T Manners is excited about working with Durham County Council.”