Demand for Durham homes is expected to escalate, following the triumphant launch of two show homes at the £13m Moorland View home scheme in Bishop Auckland.
Working in partnership with County Durham Housing Group, construction specialist, Keepmoat, has officially launched the three bedroom Oakhurst and two bedroom Ashby show homes to house hunters in Bishop Auckland; with the help of Durham Futsal partnership.
This is the first show homes to open at the former Bracks Farm site and marks a major milestone for Keepmoat, after the firm secured £976,000 from the Builders Finance Fund (BFF) to support in the delivery of the scheme.
This was the first contract signed for a project in the North East of England and is part of a package of government measures to deliver 1 million new homes by 2020. The BFF was launched by the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) to accelerate housing provision following the economic slowdown.
Keepmoat launched the development as part of a £60m investment programme in Country Durham. The scheme follows on from successful projects being carried out by Keepmoat in Shotton, Newton Aycliffe, Sherburn Hill and Bowburn. As well as providing new homes, the investment programme will also deliver an apprentice training programme for local people interested in accessing the construction industry.
Ian Prescott, land and partnerships director for Keepmoat in the North East, describes how, despite having no show home, off plan sales at Moorland View have been strong. This uptake is now projected to double with the presence of the Oakhurst and Ashby to entice buyers.
Ian said: “The sustained interest in Moorland View, together with the early sales, is testament to the requisite for new homes in the region and how measures like the BFF need to be taken to address the housing shortage.
“From the sales taken so far, the vast majority have also been from the first time buyer market, who were able to utilise schemes like Help to Buy and take that all important first step. With the show homes now available to showcase the lifestyle available at Moorland View, we are wholly confident that more first time buyers will see a great opportunity to get on the housing ladder.”
Vice Chairman of Durham County Council, Councillor Eddie Bell, helped to unveil the sites two show homes. He said: “It is good to see that Keepmoat is continuing to invest in our area. As well as helping our local economy and providing jobs for our people, they are supporting local charities and working with local schools. I hope the development is a success and wish Keepmoat all the best for the future.”
Moorland View will offer a collection of 99 two, three and four bedroom homes once complete, with 86 for private sale and seven for affordable rent through County Durham Housing Group. A further six will also be available for discounted sale.
For more information regarding Keepmoat, please visit keepmoat.com.