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New homes underway in Darlington

Work has started to build 73 new homes for rent in Darlington, which will include the conversion of a historic railway building.

Railway Housing Association is working with Gentoo Construction to build the new homes on a site just off Haughton Road, opposite Darlington College of Technology.

The site is now being cleared to pave the way for the construction of the two and three-bedroom houses, two-bedroom bungalows and one-bedroom apartments. The new homes will be let to applicants nominated by Darlington Borough Council and from the Association’s waiting list.

The homes are being built close to the historic 1825 Darlington to Stockton Railway Line. Railway Housing Association will be incorporating an engine shed built in 1844 into the development. The shed, which has Listed building status, will be converted into mews-type houses. Giving the building a purpose will ensure it is preserved for the future.

The whole development, including the engine shed, will have an industrial feel in keeping with the site’s historic past but at the same time providing modern, energy efficient homes. In response to comments made by the Friends of the 1825 Darlington & Stockton Railway during the planning process the design was revised so that the homes are not built on the actual route of the original railway.

Completion of the £8 million development is scheduled for May 2018.

Anne Rowlands, Chief Executive of Railway Housing Association, said: “We are delighted to have started work on what is our largest housing development in recent history.

“Working with Gentoo Construction, we are excited about the prospect of providing much-needed new homes for local people in Darlington, and at a site which reflects both the town’s and our own historical connections to the railway industry.”

Paul Webster, Gentoo Construction’s Managing Director said “We are looking forward to working with Railway Housing Association on this development. We are passionate about delivering great buildings as well as offering opportunities for local people and are particularly looking forward to developing our connections with Darlington College to provide employment and training opportunities.”

The Friends of the 1825 Darlington & Stockton Railway are seeking to achieve World Heritage Status for the line in time for its bicentenary in 2025.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Neil Shaefer .