Planning permission has been given for 16 new affordable family homes to be built in Willington.
County Durham Housing Group will develop the three-bedroom houses using currently vacant land on Bourne Way, between Park Street and Railway Terrace, in the north of Willington. 14 of the new homes will be offered under the government backed ‘Rent to Buy’ scheme, 2 will be available for affordable rent.
Rent to Buy is designed to ease the transition from renting to buying a home by offering a reduced rent, usually around 20% below the market rate, and providing people the opportunity to save for a deposit to buy their home after five years.
Permission for the new homes was granted, subject to a Section 106 agreement, by Durham County Council planning and development committee on Thursday, 22 February.
Construction is expected to start later this year. All of the homes will feature high levels of insulation, the latest heating systems and double glazing. They are expected to bring big savings to residents when compared with older properties in the area.
County Durham Housing Group Head of Development and Commercial Property, Kate Abson, said: “Demand for high quality affordable family homes has probably never been higher. We’re really pleased to have been given planning permission for this development in Willington and I’m looking forward to seeing ground work start later this year.”
The homes in Willington are part of programme of construction across the region by County Durham Housing Group. In total 300 new homes will be built by the group on 17 sites between now and 2020. Each site is being tailored to the needs of the local community with properties ranging from wheelchair accessible bungalows to three-bedroom family homes. As well as rent-to-buy opportunities, many homes will be available for affordable rent too.