Senior representatives from Karbon Homes and Esh Construction have visited the former Roseberry Sports Community College site in Pelton, County Durham, to mark the first affordable homes out of the ground.
The £25 million development will include 53 rent-to-buy and 20 affordable rent properties, comprising a mix of two, three and four-bedroom family homes aimed at people looking to take the first steps on the property ladder, alongside 31 apartments and eight bungalows for over 55s.
The new homes have been designed to meet the latest energy efficiency standards, with 73 of the homes being built using timber frames. The houses and bungalows will all achieve an energy performance certificate rating of A and will be powered by air source heat pumps, while electric charging points will be fitted across the site.
Esh’s Operations Director Mark Binns and Site Manager Paul Cousins welcomed Karbon Homes’ Head of Construction Foster Innes and Project Manager Sara Armstrong to showcase the progress on site.
Foster Innes, Head of Construction at Karbon Homes, said: “It’s brilliant to see the first of these new, much-needed affordable homes, take shape. This is an exciting development for the area, with a mix of family homes, bungalows, and apartments for over 50s that will play a big role in transforming a site that has stood empty for over 10 years.
“We have a strong track record of working with Esh, having worked together to deliver good quality, affordable homes elsewhere across the region, and we look forward to seeing the first phase of these new homes progress over the coming months.”
Esh’s housing infrastructure division, Lumsden & Carroll, commenced enabling works in Summer 2024 and now the roads, sewers and drainage systems are nearing completion. Foundations for almost half of the properties have also been poured, with work on building the substructures up to damp proof course (DPC) also underway. Timber frame installation is programmed to start in early spring.
Work on the 31-unit apartment complex has also begun and is expected to be finalised in late 2026
Mark Binns, Esh’s Operations Director, said: “We are pleased to see significant progress on the build phase of this much needed development in the region, while further strengthening our valued partnership with Karbon Homes. This scheme builds on our successful collaboration and shared commitment to providing high-quality affordable homes.
“We look forward to progressing on site, using more sustainable materials and energy efficient features to support the housing stock needs across the North East."
The development will be part-funded through Karbon’s £165 million strategic partnership with Homes England, to develop 2,200 much-needed affordable homes across the North East and Yorkshire by 2028.
The scheme is expected to complete in Autumn 2026.
Senior representatives from Karbon Homes and Esh Construction have visited the former Roseberry Sports Community College site in Pelton, County Durham, to mark the first affordable homes out of the ground.
The £25 million development will include 53 rent-to-buy and 20 affordable rent properties, comprising a mix of two, three and four-bedroom family homes aimed at people looking to take the first steps on the property ladder, alongside 31 apartments and eight bungalows for over 55s.
The new homes have been designed to meet the latest energy efficiency standards, with 73 of the homes being built using timber frames. The houses and bungalows will all achieve an energy performance certificate rating of A and will be powered by air source heat pumps, while electric charging points will be fitted across the site.
Esh’s Operations Director Mark Binns and Site Manager Paul Cousins welcomed Karbon Homes’ Head of Construction Foster Innes and Project Manager Sara Armstrong to showcase the progress on site.
Foster Innes, Head of Construction at Karbon Homes, said: “It’s brilliant to see the first of these new, much-needed affordable homes, take shape. This is an exciting development for the area, with a mix of family homes, bungalows, and apartments for over 50s that will play a big role in transforming a site that has stood empty for over 10 years.
“We have a strong track record of working with Esh, having worked together to deliver good quality, affordable homes elsewhere across the region, and we look forward to seeing the first phase of these new homes progress over the coming months.”
Esh’s housing infrastructure division, Lumsden & Carroll, commenced enabling works in Summer 2024 and now the roads, sewers and drainage systems are nearing completion. Foundations for almost half of the properties have also been poured, with work on building the substructures up to damp proof course (DPC) also underway. Timber frame installation is programmed to start in early spring.
Work on the 31-unit apartment complex has also begun and is expected to be finalised in late 2026
Mark Binns, Esh’s Operations Director, said: “We are pleased to see significant progress on the build phase of this much needed development in the region, while further strengthening our valued partnership with Karbon Homes. This scheme builds on our successful collaboration and shared commitment to providing high-quality affordable homes.
“We look forward to progressing on site, using more sustainable materials and energy efficient features to support the housing stock needs across the North East."
The development will be part-funded through Karbon’s £165 million strategic partnership with Homes England, to develop 2,200 much-needed affordable homes across the North East and Yorkshire by 2028.
The scheme is expected to complete in Autumn 2026.
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