Work underway on County Durham affordable housing scheme

Work has started on a development of homes for affordable rent and to buy in County Durham.The Karbon Homes scheme will comprise a mix of ten two-bed townhouses, 13 two-bed houses and two three-bed houses and is located at the junction of Durham Road and Plawsworth Road in Sacriston, on the site of a redundant sheltered scheme.The former Graham Court sheltered housing scheme did not meet modern standards and was recently demolished, with contractors able to recycle many of the original materials from the scheme. Karbon’s housing officers worked with the residents of Graham Court as part of a proactive rehousing programme.Karbon also worked with the parish council to agree a suitable re-location for the colliery winding wheel, which has historical significance in the village. The wheel, which stood on the corner of the Graham Court site for decades, has been moved into a more prominent position, close to the Fulforth Centre on Front Street.The development has been designed by BSBA Architects, Darlington and R Vint Consulting Engineers from York is providing all structural and engineering services. The main contractor is Gateshead-based Able Construction (Northern).Karbon has recently invested £8.5m in three new-build development projects in Sacriston: the recently completed St Cuthbert’s Drive, which comprises 24 homes, and 19 bungalows on Uphill Drive, which are currently under construction, as well as the new homes on Plawsworth Road.