Skip to main content Skip to footer

Planning green light for new homes in Pelton

Our plans for a £24.7million development of new homes in a County Durham village have been given the green light.

Hailed as a welcome boost for local housing stock, the decision will see us move ahead with plans to build 104 affordable homes on the site of the former Roseberry Sports Community College in Pelton, to the north of Chester-le-Street.

This will include 53 rent-to-buy properties with their own private amenity space to the rear. The Rent to Buy scheme is aimed at people who would like to buy their first property but don’t have enough savings to cover a deposit. The scheme allows them to rent before they buy and, as rents are set at 20% less than local market rent, this offers the opportunity to save towards a deposit. 

Alongside the family homes will be 31 apartments and eight bungalows for over 50s.

More than 100 car parking spaces for residents along with 47 parking spots for visitors will also feature, alongside new landscaping and access roads.

Lea Smith, development manager at Karbon Homes, said: "We're looking forward to getting started on this exciting new development. We know there is a need for more affordable housing in the area and we’ve designed a development that meets the needs of the local community, with a mix of property types and sizes to provide options for residents at varying stages of life.

“This includes apartments and bungalows for rent, to help combat the shortage of accessible homes for older residents in the area, alongside family homes, available through affordable tenures to help those who might otherwise struggle to get onto the property ladder.”

The planning application is being handled by North East company Hedley Planning Services.

Hedley Planning Services planner Alex Franklin, who oversaw unanimous approval of the plans by County Durham Council planning committee, said: “The development will provide the benefit of affordable housing for local people, contributing to a strong sense of place and community for new residents.

“As planners, we always want to see the creation of much needed and worthwhile affordable housing projects in the north east region that leave a long-lasting legacy. This one should be welcomed as it will undoubtedly see a real positive change in this part of County Durham and stimulate regeneration.”

Onsite building work, which could see an estimated 125 construction and supply chain jobs created, is expected to start in the next few weeks, with the first phase of properties expected to be available by spring 2023.

Back to all news

More news

𝐌𝐞𝐞𝐭 the team who can maximise your potential in 2025

Recite Me