Plans submitted for 65-home scheme

Plans have been submitted for 65 new homes on an eight-acre site in County Durham.

Newcastle-headquartered Bellway Strategic Land is proposing a mix of two, three, four and five-bedroom houses alongside two-bedroom bungalows on land north of Darlington Road, on the eastern edge of Barnard Castle.

The development would include 13 affordable two and three-bedroom homes, available for low-cost rent or sale at a discount to market value.

Bellway says 72 per cent of the properties would also meet enhanced accessibility and adaptability standards to support lifelong living.

Shaun Cuggy, Bellway senior strategic land manager for the North, said: “County Durham has a significant shortfall in housing land supply and our proposals for this site in Barnard Castle would contribute to helping meet this need.

“This is a sustainable location for a residential neighbourhood, within walking distance of the town’s many and varied amenities for day-to-day living, including shops, schools, a medical centre and leisure facilities.

“The homes we are proposing would be highly energy-efficient, while we are also including a range of bungalows to ensure the development meets the needs of buyers at all stages of their lives.

“We have also carefully designed the development to reflect its surroundings on the edge of Barnard Castle, with stone-fronted houses facing Darlington Road, and a woodland tree buffer facing the countryside to the east.

“This would be an attractive place to live, with areas of public open space, a new footpath along the eastern boundary and the planting of new trees and plants to promote both wellbeing and wildlife.

“There would also be substantial benefits delivered for the wider community, through the creation of new affordable homes, jobs and encouraging spending within the local economy.”

The full planning application was validated by Durham County Council earlier this month and will now be considered by its planning team.

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