Karbon Homes ‘helping satisfy demand’ with £18.5 million developments

A housing association is going a “long way to helping satisfy the demand” in County Durham with £18.5 million developments, it has been claimed.

Karbon Homes is leading work to deliver 115 affordable properties across three sites.

Backed by Partner Construction – a subsidiary of United Living Group – its developments include 66 new homes in Esh Winning, 30 properties in Pelton Fell, and a further 19 homes in Annfield Plain.

Bosses at Karbon say the organisation has worked with Durham County Council to identify housing demand in each of the three communities, with properties – which include affordable rent and rent-to-buy homes – offering an appropriate mix.

Homes England is supporting all three developments with grant funding worth more than £4 million.

In Esh Winning, officials say the Castlefields scheme [pictured as an artist’s impression] will see 53 rent-to-buy homes built alongside 13 affordable rent properties on the eastern edge of the village.

Completion is expected in spring 2021.

In Pelton Fell, Karbon is providing 16 affordable rent and 14 rent-to-buy homes at the western end of Littleburn Way. Work is expected to be completed next autumn.

In Annfield Plain, a development of 19 affordable rent homes is being developed on the site of a former community centre on Fairview Terrace, just a mile away from Karbon’s Stanley office.

These homes are expected to be available to rent in early 2021.

In addition, Karbon is also developing a project in nearby Sacriston, to build 19 bungalows for older residents.

Zoey Hawthorne, Karbon’s assistant director of development delivery, said: “We are making a significant investment in these high-quality new developments in County Durham.

“Karbon already has a large presence in this part of the county, with over 11,500 existing homes, and we’re keen to add well insulated, modern homes to meet the needs of families in the area.

“Our development programme regionwide is currently providing around 500 new homes each year, which make a significant contribution to meeting housing need in the North East.”

Councillor Kevin Shaw, Durham County Council’s cabinet member for strategic housing and assets, said: “This is news for County Durham; these developments will go a long way to helping satisfy the demand for housing in the county.

“The council has been able to provide an additional £350,000 towards funding the development at Annfield Plain, which I’m sure will have a lasting, positive impact on the area.

“Now that the County Durham Plan is in place and further supports the delivery of homes for older residents it is great to see Karbon’s commitment to this with its scheme to build 19 new bungalows in Sacriston.”

Graeme Walton, contract manager at Partner Construction, a subsidiary of United Living New Homes added: “We jumped at the opportunity to support as principal contractor on this development programme.”