Easington affordable homes scheme approved

A new housing development in a County Durham village has been approved by the council, paving the way for dozens of affordable homes.

Adderstone Living will build 56 homes in Easington Village on a four-hectare site off Sunderland Road, providing “much-needed homes” as demand for affordable housing rises rapidly, with Durham County Council reporting a 30 per cent increase in applicants since 2020.

The scheme includes a mix of two, three and four-bedroom houses, along with six bungalows, with officials saying the project will “enhance the village” by improving public spaces, pedestrian links and connectivity to surrounding areas.

Emma Moon, senior planning manager of Adderstone Living, who oversaw the planning submission, said: “This is great news for local people keen to get a step on the housing ladder. 

“We will not only be providing much-needed homes for local people but will also be contributing to enhancing the village.

“The delivery of social housing has never been more important than at present with commercial pressures on the sector to deliver high quality schemes in places where people want to live and build communities. 

“This development and other schemes coming on stream across the North East will help to address the shortfall.”

Managed by housing association believe housing, over half of the properties will be available for social rent, with others offered through Rent to Buy and shared ownership schemes.

Tom Winter, assistant director of development at believe housing, added: “We’re committed to providing healthy homes, where they are needed and, with high demand for affordable housing to rent and buy in this area, we’re confident this site will help us to achieve that. 

“One of our recent developments in Easington Village was incredibly popular, with some homes receiving over 200 bids, and there are currently more than 400 people on our waiting list for affordable homeownership opportunities in the area.

“Now that planning permission has been granted, we look forward to working with Adderstone Living to deliver high-quality, energy-efficient homes that meet people’s needs and aspirations and to see our investment in new homes have a positive impact on the wider community.”

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