A strategy to build 500 council homes has been criticised after a local authority admitted it will not achieve its target. 

Durham County Council’s programme to deliver the new homes by March 2026 was questioned in a heated County Hall debate. 

The local authority’s hopes of its latest housing strategy being approved hit a setback in July when opposition councillors voted to defer a decision following concerns over its progress.

Councillors also shared concerns that the council had changed its position and was moving away from 500 new build council homes towards including the acquisition of existing properties within the target.

While housing officials insisted the council still intends to deliver 500 new build properties they admitted, “the council will not be able to deliver 500 homes by 2026”.

Speaking at a scrutiny meeting this week, councillor Bill Moist quizzed officials on the programme’s progress. 

“A blind man on a galloping horse could see there were never going to be 500 houses by 2026. Please put a plan in place that is going to demonstrate to the people of County Durham that there is a strategy to deliver new council houses. 

“The lack of council houses versus the need is accelerating every year.”

Three sites in Burnhope, Seaham, and Spennymoor were identified and local contractor T Manners was appointed in March 2024 to deliver the programme. 

However, the local authority said there have been challenges with launching the programme and responding to rising inflation. A report added: “The intention however is still to deliver at pace and timescales are currently being revisited.”

Yet Cllr Moist called for greater clarity around the programme. 

The independent member added: “The provision of houses should be one of the main concerns for this council. If someone says they’re going to build 500 homes by 2026 you’d expect there to at least be a few on the ground.

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“I would like to know when we are going to get these houses. Let's have a proper strategy with delivery targets, penalties, and bonuses.”

However, council officers defended the local authority’s progress.

Amy Harhoff, corporate director of regeneration, economy and growth, told the meeting: “It’s not accurate to say nothing has been done on this. Extensive work has taken place across a range of complex sites. Council homes are a strategic priority of the council.”

Meanwhile, Michael Kelleher, head of planning and housing, shared his confidence with the council’s approach. “It’s absolutely right we take the time required to put in all the structures and processes to be where we are three years on is actually a pretty good process,” he said.