Thousands of new homes are to be built across County Durham over the next few years, changing the face of the county and delivering properties in the region. 

We have rounded up some of the housing developments that will be built in the region after gaining approval.

Five housing developments planned for County Durham:

Weardale Steelworks site Wolsingham

Weardale Steelworks site WolsinghamWeardale Steelworks site Wolsingham (Image: PLANNING)

Homebuilder Bellway is to build the homes on the 13.7-acre site off Durham Road in Wolsingham after Durham County Council granted planning consent.

Bellway purchased the land on August 9 and now says that it will build a range of two, three, four and five-bedroom houses, as well as some two-bedroom bungalows at the scheme, which will be called The Old Foundry. 

The homes will be made up of 112 for private sale, and 13 affordable homes for rent or shared ownership.

Plans were originally put forward for 120 homes, but these were amended so that a greater number of smaller homes could be included.

Almond Close, Spennymoor

Almond Close, SpennymoorAlmond Close, Spennymoor (Image: PLANNING)

A new housing estate will be built in Spennymoor, on land north and west of Almond Close, after it was passed at a Durham County Council planning meeting on Tuesday. 

An application detailing plans for 214 homes was initially submitted to the local authority but was later revised and amended after a public consultation. 

The new development, due to be built by Countryside Partnerships North, will include 28 affordable homes. 

Sniperley Park

Sniperley ParkSniperley Park (Image: PLANNING)

Bellway can build 368 new homes on the land north and east of Sniperley Farm and convert four farm buildings into homes and have outline consent for an extension to Sniperley Park and Ride after approval by the Secretary of State.

In addition, County Durham Land has secured outline approval for a further 1,550 homes, a local centre, a public house and a primary school on the wider site.

Morland Street, Bishop Auckland

Morland Street, Bishop AucklandMorland Street, Bishop Auckland (Image: PLANNING)

Plans for new affordable homes in Bishop Auckland have been praised for helping improve a site troubled by anti-social behaviour. 

Oaktree Living’s proposal for 23 homes was approved by Durham County Council’s planning committee on Thursday. 

The development at the former bus depot on Morland Street has been marketed as “100 per cent affordable housing” and will be taken over by local housing provider Livin Homes. 

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Buildings which previously housed the bus depot have recently been demolished. 

The developer said the new estate will ease local housing demand and will generate economic benefits for the area through job creation. 

Peterlee/Horden

Stephenson RoadStephenson Road (Image: PLANNING)

A council plan to build 282 homes on a neglected industrial site.

Durham County Council’s bid to build the new housing development at an industrial estate between Peterlee and Horden was agreed in July.

The approval comes 10 years after the local authority initially announced plans to redevelop the site at Stephenson Road

Commercial and industrial units were cleared but progress stalled despite planning permission for 390 homes in 2014. 

Locals say the site has since been a hotbed for anti-social behaviour and crime.