Member Article

Sedgefield residents get their say on plans for over 200 new homes

Residents in Sedgefield are being invited to have their say on a forward-thinking new development blueprint for the area that has the potential to create future jobs, build quality homes and deliver extra-care for older residents.

A two-day public consultation event will be held at Sedgefield Racecourse in County Durham on Wednesday May 7 and Monday May 12, between 3pm – 8pm, giving people the chance to find out more about development plans being proposed to the east of the town.

The plans put forward by UK investment business, ESRG, include 218 homes made-up of executive, family and affordable properties within a quality landscaped setting - alongside a bespoke 60 bed retirement complex situated off Beacon Lane.

Designed with support from North East practice Gradon Architecture and Newcastle-based Haylock Planning and Design, the proposals meet the identified need for more housing and community facilities in the town.

David Evans, director of ESRG, said: “Sedgefield and its surrounding area is a growing, as well as ageing population. Demand for affordable housing is high, with increased pressure on current education and health facilities.

“At the same time, the town and its surrounding borough is also set to play a key role within County Durham’s economic future. Along with the arrival of hundreds of new jobs at Hitachi’s Rail Europe plant in Newton Aycliffe, the nearby North East Technology Park will continue to attract and drive inward investment opportunities towards the area.

“This means that more and more people will be looking to live, work and raise their families in the town. By delivering a sustainable development to the east of the town, our proposals will help to meet this need whilst also unlocking Sedgefield’s potential to support County Durham’s economic growth. We’re looking forward to welcoming and hearing what local residents think about our plans.”

The development blueprint being put forward by ESRG also includes innovative plans to build a further 232 homes off Salters Lane. The sale of these homes would help to fund further community facilities for the benefit of the whole town, including new education, health and training facilities, such as a GP or dentist surgery.

And a contemporary new commercial facility accessed from Salters Lane would also provide a unique business hub for nurturing local entrepreneurial talent and delivering specialist skills training.

Graham McDarby, design director at Gradon Architecture, said: “We have put in place a carefully designed blueprint that will deliver a mixture of new homes, extra-care support for older people and quality community facilities that will benefit Sedgefield’s residents now and for the next generation.

“Our plans will retain Sedgefield’s unique community feel, whilst delivering sustainable growth that is environmentally sensitive to the surrounding area.

“The public consultation event will give residents and local businesses their chance to feedback on our designs. And we will be on hand to answer any questions that residents may have.”

To find out more about the development plans and have your say, visit Sedgefield Racecourse between 3pm-8pm on Wednesday May 7 or Monday 12 where refreshments will be provided.

Ahead of the consultation event, residents living in Sedgefield will also receive a newsletter with more information about the proposed development. If you can’t attend the event, you can also submit your views by calling freephone 0800 148 8911.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Tom Keighley .