Barnard Castle scheme set to deliver 100 new homes secures North East Chamber backing

Plans for a new residential development in County Durham have been backed by the region’s chamber of commerce.

The North East England Chamber of Commerce has expressed support for plans by Banks Property to create up to 100 new homes near Barnard Castle.

Situated around one mile from the town centre near the A67 Darlington Road, the development would cover 5.5 hectares, with the family homes all having electric vehicle charging points.

If Banks’ plans are approved, around 60 full-time jobs would be supported on the site during its construction period, with a further 90 jobs being indirectly supported through investment in the regional supply chain.

North East England Chamber of Commerce policy director Jonathan Walker commented: “There is a shortage of homes across the UK, including in County Durham, and an increase in quality housing in the region will help to attract people to live and work in the region, which will in turn support the local economy.

“Ensuring that there is affordable quality housing is also particularly important to ensure that everyone can access the housing ladder, especially younger people and families.

“Investment in the North East in these difficult economic times is needed to create jobs, give confidence to businesses, and encourage people to live in the region.”

Duncan Holness, project manager at Banks Property, added: “We’re grateful to the North East England Chamber of Commerce for their support for this project, as well as to the more than 120 people who have also formally expressed their backing for the Darlington Road development so far.

“We strongly believe that being able to live in your chosen community should be an opportunity that is as widely available as possible, and the increased supply of new family homes that our Darlington Road development will deliver for Barnard Castle will give more young families the chance to build their lives here.”

“The Darlington Road site has been chosen as the most appropriate location in the area for a development of this type and we hope Durham County Council’s planning committee will recognise everything that it would offer to the local area and wider region when it comes to consider our proposals.”