Senior representatives from Karbon Homes and Esh Construction have visited the former Roseberry Sports Community College site in Pelton, County Durham, where 104 new affordable homes are being delivered.
The £25 million development will include 53 rent-to-buy and 20 affordable rent properties, comprising a mix of two and three-bedroom family homes aimed at people looking to take their first steps on the property ladder, alongside 31 apartments and eight bungalows for over 50s.
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 Development Contracts Officer Sara Armstrong to showcase the progress on site.
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.”
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 autumn this year.
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.
Esh is committed to supporting the Pelton community and surrounding area throughout the project through its ‘Constructing Local’ strategy. In December, Esh purchased and installed a defibrillator at a Hydrotherapy Centre in Perkinsville run through the Heel & Toe children’s charity, while a £6,000 donation in partnership with Karbon Homes saw new football kits provided to all teams at Hilda Park FC.
A Stay Safe presentation has also been delivered to all year groups at Roseberry Primary School, with further Get into STEM sessions planned for schools across County Durham throughout 2025.
The scheme is expected to complete in Autumn 2026.
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."
