1,500 new homes to be built in North East coastal town

A new scheme in a North East coastal town which will deliver 1,500 new homes has been awarded garden village status by the government.

The County Durham town of Seaham will become home to the South Seaham Garden Village, which will provide new homes as well as a range of amenities for local residents.

In addition to residential properties, the development will also have a hub including shops, a café, a new primary school, a village square and a park as well as a health and wellbeing community hub with a gym.

Cllr Kevin Shaw, Durham County Council’s cabinet member for strategic housing and Assets, commented: “This is fantastic news and something we have been working towards for a number of years.

“With new jobs and growth in the county, we not only need more housing but improved standards and homes of a greater variety including affordable to meet residents’ needs.

“South Seaham Garden Village will be a unique and highly desirable place to live. It will be a vibrant and exciting community and is symbolic of the future aspirations we have for our county.”

Work is expected to begin early next year with the first new homes being available by the end of 2020.

It is anticipated that the development, which is being led by property firm Tolent, will create around 1,000 jobs, including 500 new construction jobs and 300 jobs in the centre of the village.

Commenting on the news, John Wood, director of Tolent, said: “Receiving garden village status is befitting of such a great development that really will be a national exemplar.

“Our vision to create a truly sustainable community with a mix of distinctive, high quality housing that improves quality of life is what we’re doing here, as well as creating jobs for the next decade and beyond.”