Planning green light for new affordable homes in Shildon

CGIs of the scheme at Redworth Road which has been given the green light by planners

A new housing development of affordable, energy efficient homes in South Durham has been given the green light after planning permission was granted this week.

Developers Karbon Homes and Oaktree Living have won approval from Durham County Council’s planning committee to deliver 50 new homes on the Redworth Road site, south of Shildon town centre.

The development, designed by North East based architects Ergo Projects, will consist of a mix of two-bed bungalows and two, three and four-bed family homes.

Thirty-five of the homes will be available for social rent and 15 for affordable home ownership scheme Rent to Buy, where rents are set at 20% less than local market rent in order to provide residents with the opportunity to save towards a deposit.

Zoey Hawthorne, Group Director of Development at Karbon Homes, said: “We’re pleased to have been given the go ahead from the planners to take this project forward and bring much needed affordable homes to the area.

“We’ve designed a modern, high-quality development that meets the needs of the local community, with a mix of property types and sizes to provide options for residents at varying stages of life, that all meet the highest energy efficiency standards.”

The new homes will aim to achieve an EPC A rating, the highest energy efficiency standard, will benefit from solar PV panels and EV charging provision, and be powered by air source heat pumps.

John Seymour, Business Manager at Oaktree Living, said: “We’re delighted to be working in partnership with Karbon Homes to deliver much-needed affordable, energy-efficient homes in Shildon. The scheme will provide high-quality, sustainable housing that responds directly to local demand and gives people access to well-built homes.

“By prioritising local labour and suppliers, we’re ensuring the project supports the regional economy while delivering homes that are fit for the future.”

The project comes as the Government continues to push for the delivery of new homes to meet the chronic housing shortage.

The 35 homes for social rent, which will be allocated through Durham County Council’s choice-based lettings system, will contribute towards the government’s target to deliver 180,000 social rent homes by 2035.

Its delivery will be supported with funding from the government’s housing and regeneration agency, Homes England, through a Strategic Partnership Karbon has with the agency to deliver 2,324 new affordable homes across the North East and Yorkshire by 2028.