A major housing development in Durham has moved forward after developer Banks Property struck land deals with two housebuilders.
The County Durham company, part of the family run Banks Group, secured outline planning permission from Durham County Council for the Bent House Lane development last year and has since been working towards seeking out the most appropriate housebuilders to take the project forward. The firm has now agreed deals with both Miller Homes and Barratt Homes, which will each develop around half of the 19.5-hectare site.
The Bent House Lane site, which was allocated for residential development in the County Durham Plan, will see the creation of up to 500 family homes on land to the south of the A181 Sherburn Road between Gilesgate and the A1. Alongside the new homes, the Bent House Lane scheme will include around 3.5 hectares of public open space and a new network of footpaths and cycleways to link with nearby facilities, and the National Cycle Route 14 to Durham City.
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Other improvements will include new planting and ecological enhancements to the south of the site and new bus stops, to link with existing bus services which already go past the site. A seven-figure contribution to the local education system will also form part of the overall scheme.
Part of the Bent House Lane site was owned by the Church Commissioners for England, who worked with Banks Property on the development.
The two housebuilders will be bringing forward reserved matters applications for their respective parts of the site in the near future, with a view to starting construction as soon as possible. The scheme will support more than 60 jobs during the construction phase, with local suppliers also being brought on board.
Mark Dickenson, development director at Banks Property, said: “Homes, and especially family homes, are very much needed in Durham City, and we were very pleased with the level of support from local people, local councillors, community groups and organisations when we brought this project forward. Developing the Bent House Lane site has been a long-term target for us, and as a longstanding County Durham business, it’s been especially important for us to ensure we find the best partners to realise its potential.
“We’re very pleased to have reached agreements with two such highly-respected housebuilders who will now move on to deliver our plans to create a thriving and well-connected new community that will have a positive economic impact on both our home city and the wider county.”
John Jameson, area land director at Miller Homes, added: “Miller Homes has developed several sites in the Durham City area over the years and is delighted to have worked in partnership with the Banks Group and Barratt Homes in securing another important housing site in the area. This latest development will provide much needed housing and investment in the local area which includes affordable housing.”
Neil Milburn, land and development director at Barratt Homes North East, says: “We’re excited to develop Bent House Lane and to be investing £1.27m into the local area which means, alongside Miller Homes, we will be enhancing much needed education and healthcare facilities as well as making other improvements to footpaths, open spaces and recreational areas.”
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