First phase of Garden Village moves step closer 

Homes England, the government’s housing agency, together with developer Hellens Group, has recently entered into a Collaboration Agreement to progress with the development of the Burtree Garden Village site located at Faverdale on the western edge of Darlington.

Burtree Garden Village is one of 19 developments in the country to have been granted Garden Communities status in June 2019 by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government. Burtree Garden Village will deliver up to 2,000 new homes and 200,000 sq m of employment space.  The Garden Communities initiative was launched by central Government in 2018 to help stimulate large scale new developments which will create sustainable communities for people to live and work.

Homes England and Hellens Group are currently working up plans for the first phase of up to 700 homes, employment space and a new public park.  With an emphasis on green space and high-quality landscaping, Burtree Garden Village will eventually incorporate the development of an extra care facility, retail and community facilities along with land for a new primary school.

Due to the current restrictions associated with COVID-19, Homes England and Hellens Group are looking to seek the views of local residents and interested parties on the proposed planning application via an on-line community consultation event which is available on the newly launched website – www.burtreegardenvillage.co.uk.

At a previous consultation event in October 2017, a number of different masterplans were presented to residents. The designs have since progressed in line with the preferred layout and Homes England and Hellens Group are now hoping to submit a planning application in Summer 2020.

The consultation will open on 20th July 2020 for a period of two weeks until 2nd August 2020. The consultation will be available at: www.burtreegardenvillage.co.uk.  The further round of consultation will provide local residents and interested parties with the opportunity to view the proposals online and submit their views.

Marie Kiddell, head of planning and enabling in the North for Homes England, said: “We are delighted to have completed the acquisition of the land at Burtree Garden Village and look forward to working with the Hellens Group and other key partners, including Darlington Borough Council as the Local Planning Authority to deliver this exciting project over the coming months and years.

“The Burtree site provides us with a unique opportunity to create an exemplar development providing not only much needed new homes but also a range of community facilities, employment accommodation along with landscaping and green space”.

Gavin Cordwell-Smith, chief executive of Hellens Group, said:“We are delighted to have entered into a Collaboration Agreement with Homes England to bring forward Burtree Garden Village. We now look forward to working with all of the key stakeholders on this proposed high-quality mixed-use development which will offer an outstanding place to live and work.”