Construction commences on Peterlee affordable housing development

Work to regenerate disused land on the edge of a County Durham town with almost 60 new affordable homes is underway.

Housing association believes housing is working with Partner Construction to deliver 59 high-quality homes in Peterlee, an area where it claims to see “some of its greatest demand for new and affordable properties”.

The Stephenson Mews development is located on a brownfield site on the edge of the North East Industrial Estate, which has been vacant for a number of years, and lies next to a new housing development.

It will see 23 two-bed, 30 three-bed and six four-bed homes constructed on Stephenson Road. Six of the new homes will be bungalows, to meet growing needs for wheelchair accessible homes in the area. The homes will also be available for Affordable Rent and Rent to Buy tenure.

Easington MP Grahame Morris joined Partner Construction Contracts Manager Graeme Walton, Site Manager Rob Bowman, Senior Engineer Elliot Martindale, and local Lewis King, a Development Assistant at believe housing, to mark the start of works on the site.

Lewis started his career as an apprentice, after leaving Shotton Hall Academy, and secured a permanent role in late 2018. He said: “Being from the town, I know just how needed these homes are and am really honoured to help mark the start of work on a site which will deliver good, affordable homes for people wanting to be part of this community.”

Grahame Morris commented: “I’m quite excited about this development as it addresses local needs with a mix of affordable homes, and I’m a huge advocate of developing brownfield sites wherever possible in favour of building on greenbelt. This site will also have the benefit of existing bus routes, shops and services and being close to the A19.”

Kate Abson, director of development at believe housing, added: “These new homes build upon our commitment to provide high-quality affordable properties in towns and villages across County Durham, like Peterlee.

“We have firm plans to deliver more than 1,250 new homes by 2026, which is expected to support more than 3,800 jobs and 40 apprenticeships during construction.”