Plans for dozens of new affordable homes in a former County Durham mining village have been given the green light.
The news will see housing associations Karbon Homes and Durham Aged Mineworkers’ Homes Association deliver a mix of 42 affordable detached and semi-detached bungalows on land west of Salters Lane in Trimdon Village, close to Bank Top Terrace and the local petrol station.
Supported by North East planning specialist Hedley Planning, the move, which has the support of the local community, paves the way for a much-needed boost to local housing stock.
Village residents recognised the benefit of a plan that will create a viable development on a two-hectare plot and meets the need for more energy efficient housing in the area.
The first phase of homes is expected to be completed in early 2026.
Supported with funding from the government’s housing and regeneration agency, Homes England, planning approval for the scheme comes as the Government continues to push for the delivery of new homes to meet the chronic housing shortage.
Through a strategic partnership with the agency, Karbon has secured funding to deliver 2,220 new affordable homes across the North East and Yorkshire by 2028.
Joe Ridgeon, director at Hedley Planning, said the new development will contribute towards meeting local demand for affordable housing.
“This is good news for local people, who want to get on the housing ladder or move up the property ladder, in places where they want to live and build communities. We have worked closely with Karbon Homes and the planning authority to ensure a high-quality affordable property development that meets the needs of the local community will be delivered.”
A key feature of the scheme will be off-site highways improvements, including speed humps to reduce speeds through the village and a new pedestrian crossing, designed to improve road safety, offer safer site access and deliver a range of new amenities and services for local people.
There will also be parking spaces for residents’ vehicles and 14 visitor bays together with significant new street landscaping and replacement tree planting.