New affordable housing grant for Burtree Garden Village.jpg — Pictured, from left to right, are Kate Hellens, Hellens Residential managing director; Gavin Cordwell-Smith, Hellens Group chief executive; Councillor Chris McEwan, Darlington Borough Council cabinet member for economy; Katie Rumble, Hellens Group development director; and Rachel Bradley, Hellens Residential finance director

Builder backed for 122 affordable home scheme

A housebuilder has secured financial support to push forward a 120-plus affordable property development.

Hellens Residential has been backed by Homes England grant funding to support a £27 million investment in a Burtree Garden Village scheme.

Bosses say the venture, based on the outskirts of Darlington, will include one, two, three and four-bed properties, with 106 houses complemented by 11 bungalows and five apartments.

They add about 60 per cent of properties will be available for social rent, with the remaining 40 per cent delivered as rent to buy homes.

The scheme is earmarked for completion in early 2029.

The development will form part of the wider Burtree Garden Village, which officials say will feature more than 2000 homes over the next 20 years.

Kate Hellens, managing director at Washington-based Hellens Residential, said: “This funding is an important step in bringing forward affordable homes at Burtree Garden Village early in the life of the new community.

“These homes will meet a real range of needs, and we are pleased to be working with Homes England and Darlington Borough Council to bring the properties forward.”

The builder secured its financial support through Homes England’s Social and Affordable Homes Programme.

Graham Brookfield, Homes England senior manager, affordable housing growth – North East, Yorkshire and Humber, said: “Increasing the supply of quality affordable homes remains one of our key objectives, and we are committed to supporting ambitious housebuilders of all sizes to build those homes and communities.”

Councillor Chris McEwan, Darlington Borough Council cabinet member for economy, added: “Hellens Residential has shown real commitment to Burtree Garden Village, and to ensuring affordable homes are part of its progress from the outset.”

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