WORK has started to build nine new bungalows as part of a village regeneration.

The £950,000 housing project will create homes for rent, owned and managed by Durham Aged Mineworkers’ Association, and is the first of three house-building projects planned for Esh Winning, near Durham City.

The eco-friendly homes are being built on a site behind the village Co-op and are expected to be completed by October.

Work is being carried out by the Durham Villages Regeneration Company, partnership between Durham County Council and house-builder Keepmoat, with £540,000 funding from the Homes and Communities Agency.

Richard Bass, managing director with Keepmoat Homes North East, said: "With 69 new homes planned for the area over the next two years, these are exciting times for Esh Winning.

"We hope that developments like these will breathe new life into the village bringing new families and investment which will support local business."

Gordon Gray, chief executive of Durham Aged Mineworkers’ Homes Association, said: "There is a big demand for high quality, spacious bungalows in the area and we are delighted to be providing affordable homes of this nature, as well as playing our part in helping to regenerate Esh Winning."

Coun Clive Robson, Durham County Council’s Cabinet Member for Housing, added: "It is great to see high quality new build homes coming to Esh Winning and re-energising the centre of the village.

"These modern, energy efficient homes, in close proximity to the local shops and services will be of particular interest to elderly members of our community".

The Durham Villages Regeneration Company says it will soon submit a planning application to build 20 more two and three bedroomed homes in the village on land just off Ridding Road.

A third site in the centre of the village is earmarked for 40 new homes some of which may be available to rent.