Bellway Durham has submitted detailed plans to build 428 new homes to the west of Darlington.
The housebuilder is seeking to deliver a range of two to five-bedroom homes on a 56-acre site off Staindrop Road, alongside green corridors and public open spaces, including space for children to play and a community orchard.
If plans are approved, the development would be the first phase of a wider neighbourhood which was granted outline planning permission last year. This has permission for up to 985 homes, a GP surgery, a convenience store, new sports pitches and land for a primary and early years school.
Bellway’s reserved matters application, which has been submitted to Darlington Borough Council, features 300 homes for private sale, including 20 bungalows suitable for older or disabled residents.
There would also be 128 affordable homes available for local people through low-cost rent, shared ownership or the First Homes scheme to support local housing demand.
The development would be built by Bellway Durham and Ashberry Homes North East, which is part of the Bellway group.
Mark Gabriele, Head of Land for Bellway Durham, said: “This development represents the first phase of a wider scheme on a site which has been allocated as suitable for housing in the Darlington Local Plan as part of the town’s long-term growth strategy.
“This will be the biggest project Bellway Durham has delivered, supporting the growth of the division and making a significant contribution to the housing needs of the local area.
“We have carried out extensive consultation with the local authority and local community and used the feedback from that process to finalise our proposals.
“The landscape-led plans will see trees, hedgerows and existing open space areas mainly retained as defining features to increase biodiversity. Green links will be strengthened across the site through the creation of new ponds and tree and shrub planting, providing year-round interest and colour as well as wildlife habitats.
“The energy-efficient homes will incorporate modern construction methods and insulation standards, while their design has been carefully planned to reflect local architecture and blend in with the surroundings.
“We also have a proven track record for building quality homes, having been awarded five-star builder status from the Home Builders Federation for nine years running.
“All in all, the project reflects a strong vision for placemaking and will help to meet local housing demand while delivering a well-integrated and thoughtfully designed neighbourhood.”
Bellway Durham is currently building new homes across County Durham and Teesside. For more information visit https://www.bellway.co.uk/new-homes/durham.