Karbon Homes has set to work on three new housing developments in County Durham that will provide 115 new affordable homes.
The housing association is currently working with contractor Partner Construction, a subsidiary of United Living Group, on three sites: 66 new homes in Esh Winning, 30 in Pelton Fell, and 19 in Annfield Plain.
Karbon has worked with Durham County Council to identify housing demand in each of the three communities and to deliver an appropriate mix of house types – as well as a blend of affordable rent and Rent to Buy homes to suit different aspirations.
Homes England is supporting all three developments with grant funding totalling just over £4m.
In Esh Winning, the Castlefields scheme will see 53 Rent to Buy homes alongside 13 Affordable Rent on a site at the eastern edge of the village. Completion is expected in Spring 2021.
In Pelton Fell, Karbon is providing 16 Affordable Rent and 14 Rent to Buy homes at the western end of Littleburn Way. Work is expected to complete next autumn.
While in Annfield Plain, a development of 19 Affordable Rent homes is being developed on the site of a former community centre on Fairview Terrace, just a mile away from Karbon’s Stanley office base. These homes are expected to be available to rent in early 2021.
In addition to these three developments, Karbon is also developing a project in nearby Sacriston to build 19 bungalows for older residents.
‘Significant investment’
Zoey Hawthorne, assistant director of Development Delivery at Karbon Homes, said: “We are making a significant investment in these high quality new developments in County Durham.
“Karbon already has a large presence in this part of the county, with over 11,500 existing homes, and we’re keen to add well insulated, modern homes to meet the needs of families in the area.
“Our development programme regionwide is currently providing around 500 new homes each year, which make a significant contribution to meeting housing need in the North East.”
Cllr Kevin Shaw, Durham County Council’s cabinet member for strategic housing and assets, said: “Karbon Homes’ announcement that it is creating 115 new affordable homes for families is fantastic news for County Durham.
“These developments will go a long way to helping satisfy the demand for housing in the county.
“The council has been able to provide an additional £350,000 towards funding the development at Annfield Plain, which I’m sure will have a lasting, positive impact on the area.
“We also worked alongside Karbon Homes in ensuring we delivered the right the type of housing that was required across all three sites.
“Now that the County Durham Plan is in place and further supports the delivery of homes for older residents, it is great to see Karbon’s commitment to this with its scheme to build 19 new bungalows in Sacriston.”
Graeme Walton, contract manager at Partner Construction, a subsidiary of United Living New Homes, said: “We jumped at the opportunity to support as principle contractor on this development programme.
“Our experience in this sector means that we have been able to support with a full turn-key solution from sourcing and acquiring the land, right through to the design and build of the homes themselves.
“We very much look forward to working closely with the delivery team to help Karbon Homes meet the region’s housing needs.”
Image: CGI rendering of what the Castefields development will look like on completion
Read next: Housing Diversity Stories / Steven McIntyre / Stonewall Housing
Are you a social housing professional? Sign up for a FREE MEMBERSHIP to upload news stories, post job vacancies, and connect with colleagues on our secure social feed.
