Member Article

Work underway to create 19 Chilton homes

Work is underway to construct a new development in Chilton, County Durham, which will deliver 19 quality, affordable homes.

To mark the occasion, representatives from Galliford Try Partnerships North, Home Group and Durham County Council, the partnership responsible for the £2 million initiative, took part in a sod cutting ceremony.

The development will feature 10 properties for shared ownership, available to eligible individuals/families struggling to get onto the property ladder and nine houses for rent to assist those on local housing waiting lists.

House types will include two and three bed house styles, constructed to meet the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) standards and Code for Sustainable Homes level 3. This means the houses will benefit from energy saving adaptations including high level insulation and energy efficient boilers, providing reduced utility usage and bills for buyers.

All homes will be fitted with the latest condensing boilers, energy saving lighting, double glazing, insulated walls, cycle storage and rainwater harvesting. It is estimated that each home fitted with these environmental touches will be approximately 25% more energy efficient than a standard home. In addition, the environmental credentials of the development are enhanced further with recycling and composting facilities available to each property.

Foster Innes, Operations Director at Galliford Try Partnerships North, said: “This is an exciting project for us and our partners Home Group and Durham County Council.

“Partnerships like this can play a pivotal role in transforming local communities and we are confident that the new development at Chilton will breathe fresh life into this area of County Durham, providing much needed affordable housing.”

The development is ideally located, with links to the A167, A689 and A1M. Local amenities are nearby with Darlington town centre approximately eight miles south and Durham City nine miles to the north. Nearer still are Newton Aycliffe and Bishop Auckland both just three miles away.

Tony Osborne, Home Group development manager, added: “As a social housing provider we’re committed to delivering homes which help transform peoples’ lives and we’re delighted to be working with Galliford Try on this. These houses will help local people who are desperately in need of a place of their own.

“Home Group is well established in County Durham with homes in almost every town and village in the area and we’re pleased to be able to offer more houses in Chilton. The rental properties will provide homes for generations while the shared ownership properties will allow those who can’t afford to get onto the property ladder a way to own their home.”

The development at Chilton is expected to be complete by Spring 2014.

Future projects for Galliford Try and the Home Group include a partnership with Gateshead Council which will invest around £350m to regenerate 19 separate sites around the borough, delivering over 2,400 new homes for private sale and affordable tenures, along with community facilities and public spaces which will help to promote sustainable and long lasting communities.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Paul Dobbie .