County Durham housing development gets underway

The £5.6m housing development in County Durham is officially underway after prospective tenants cut the first sod at a groundbreaking ceremony.

The scheme will create 50 new council-owned homes for older people at Park Avenue Close, in the market town of Crook.

A total of 46 apartments and four bungalows have been designed for lifelong living, meaning that they are wheelchair accessible and can be adapted as residents’ needs change.

The new homes, backed by £2.6million of funding from the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA), will be owned by Durham County Council and managed by Dale and Valley Homes.

Residents will move into the first new homes when the development’s first phase is complete later this year, leaving the way clear to replace their existing flats with a second phase of apartments.

Peter Chaffer, chief executive of Dale & Valley Homes, said: “In deciding on the details of the scheme we have listened very closely to our customers, including details such as IT access, which they have asked for.

“We believe these homes will provide the kind of accommodation which will seriously improve the quality of life for older people in Wear Valley.”

Sara Holmes, head of business development at Frank Haslam Milan (FHM) North East, added: “The homes will benefit dozens of families across Wear Valley, providing much improved accommodation for older people. These high quality, energy efficient, homes will set new standards for sustainability in the area, cutting fuel bills for residents.”