Work is underway on the construction of 300 new homes in Darlington in the latest joint venture development between Homes by Esh and Darlington Borough Council.
Located on Neasham Road, the two-phased scheme will include 150 new homes for council tenants and Esh Group’s private housebuilding division, Homes by Esh, will build 155 new homes for private sale.
Councillor Jonathan Dulston, leader of the council joined Ian Williams, the council’s chief executive, Cabinet members and Phil Brown, executive director of Homes by Esh, for a tour of the site as construction work begins.
Cllr Dulston said: “This is our latest joint venture with Homes by Esh which is allowing us to bring much-needed homes to Darlington, including our own council homes. It is one of the largest own-build developments the council has done.
“The Homes by Esh properties are already proving popular, selling quickly off plan with around 30 per cent to people outside Darlington, and I’m sure our properties will be a big hit with would-be tenants too.
“Our vision is to build and develop strong and balanced communities, making sure properties are available for working families as well as older people and those in most need.”
More than 400 homes have already been designed and built in-house by the council’s housing and building services teams, as part of its award-winning new-build programme which aims to build 1,000 new council homes over the next ten years.
Cllr Dulston added: “All our new properties that have been completed so far have been very popular, with demand for all the developments far outstripping supply, and I’m sure this latest development will be just as popular.”
The council’s scheme is nestled between open countryside and the edge of the town, with cycle paths around newly-created wetland habitats close to open fields. There will be a choice of two, three and four-bedroom homes available to rent.
Homes by Esh’s development is named Elder Brook Park and features a collection of two, three and four-bedroom houses with the properties designed to appeal to a range of buyers, from people looking for their first steps onto the property ladder, to families and later stage households looking to downsize.
Phil Brown, executive director of Homes by Esh, commented: “We aim to build neighbourhoods where communities can thrive and Elder Brook Park is no exception. We have been working with Darlington Borough Council for more than five years to improve the housing offer within the borough.
“As a developer, we are committed to building homes which are superior in quality with high specification design. Around 75 per cent of our subcontractors are local, employing up to 50 people a day on site including five apprentices, which supports local shops and the economy as a whole.
“Two show homes are now open to visitors and we are excited to meet more house hunters who would like to start their buying journey with us.”
Work on the first phase is scheduled for completion in winter 2023.
If you are interested in viewing the Homes by Esh development, visit www.homesbyesh.co.uk or contact the sales team on 07866 801 609. To find out more about the council properties which will be available to rent, visit www.darlington.gov.uk/housing then click on ‘Find a home or garage’.
We have been working with Darlington Borough Council for more than five years to improve the housing offer within the borough. As a developer, we are committed to building homes which are superior in quality with high specification design. Around 75 per cent of our subcontractors are local, employing up to 50 people a day on site including five apprentices, which supports local shops and the economy as a whole.”
