Outline plans for a proposed small-scale residential development in a village to the south east of Durham City are set to go on show at two local events.
Housebuilder Banks Homes is bringing forward plans for a new development at High Shincliffe, which would see up to 80 energy efficient family homes being built on a site on the south eastern edge of the community, close to the route of the Leamside Line.
The Whitwell Acres development would include a 35 per cent affordable homes allocation and a number of bungalows, while a biodiversity net gain of at least ten per cent would be delivered through the project and contributions would be made to help enhance local healthcare and educational facilities.
All the new homes would be fitted with air source heat pumps and electric vehicle charging points to help minimise carbon emissions, while a sustainable urban drainage system (SuDS) pond would be used to manage drainage from the development while also offering a new natural habitat.
The first community event will take place at St Mary The Virgin Church Hall on High Street North in Shincliffe between 230pm and 7pm on Tuesday 25th November, with the second one following at Bowburn Community Centre on Durham Road in Bowburn from 2pm to 730pm on Wednesday 3rd December.
Members of the Banks Homes project team will be on hand at both events to speak to visitors about the proposals, answer any questions they have and collect any feedback they want to provide.
Comments will be factored into the project planning application that Banks Homes is expecting to submit to Durham County Council in the new year. If it is approved, work could start on site by winter 2027/28.
Part of the County Durham-headquartered Banks Group, Banks Homes is building a growing portfolio of high-quality residential sites across North East England and Yorkshire, with development under way at sites in West Rainton, Yarm and Hambleton near Selby.
The company recently announced plans for a new development at Redmarshall near Stockton, which would see around 75 family homes being built on a site to the south of the village, while the final home has now been sold at its Symeon Court development at Mount Oswald.
Kate Culverhouse, community relations manager at the Banks Group, says: “The proposed Whitwell Acres development will see up to 80 sustainable, contemporary new homes being delivered, which would give more local people and families a greater opportunity to stay in the area.
“This site has excellent public and sustainable transport links with both Durham City and the surrounding countryside, while it is also close to essential services in High Shincliffe and Bowburn, and we’re confident that there will be strong demand for the new homes we’re looking to build.
“Consultation with local people is always essential in helping us finalise our project designs and ensuring we can share information directly with them on the substantial economic, social and environmental benefits that our residential developments deliver.
“We’re excited to share our outline proposals with the local community and hope to welcome as many people as possible to our two events.”
To reserve a place at one of the High Shincliffe community events or to contact the Banks Homes project team, please email highshincliffe@banksgroup.co.uk
For further information on Banks Homes’ proposed High Shincliffe development, please visit https://www.banksgroup.co.uk/projects/highshincliffe/