Homes England funding unlocks 122 affordable homes at Burtree Garden Village
£27m will be invested in the first phase of Hellen’s development on the outskirts of Darlington, delivering a mix of apartments, bungalows, and family houses as part of the wider 2,000-home scheme.
The first phase will comprise five apartments, 11 bungalows and 106 one to four-bedroom houses. Around 60% of the homes will be available for social rent, while the remaining 40% will be offered through the Rent to Buy scheme, supporting both affordable rented housing and routes into home ownership.
Construction is expected to deliver the first homes from May 2027, with the initial phase scheduled for completion in early 2029.
Hellens Residential will work alongside Darlington Borough Council throughout the build programme to identify local housing need and ensure some homes are designed to meet specific accessibility requirements, including adaptable bungalows with features such as accessible bathrooms and lower-level kitchens.
The affordable homes will occupy prominent parcels within Burtree Garden Village and are intended to help establish the design character of the new neighbourhood.
Parking will also be positioned behind properties rather than along street frontages, reflecting the wider design principles for the development.
The Homes England grant will provide additional affordable housing beyond the level required through the planning process, increasing the overall supply of affordable homes within the scheme.
Burtree Garden Village is one of the North East’s largest mixed-use developments and is expected to deliver more than 2,000 homes over the next two decades, alongside employment space, green infrastructure, community facilities, local services and sustainable transport links.
Kate Hellens, managing director of Hellens Residential, said: “This funding is an important step in bringing forward affordable homes at Burtree Garden Village early in the life of the new community.
“We are making a £27m investment in homes which will meet a real range of needs, from social rent to rent to buy, and from apartments and family houses to bungalows.
“Burtree Garden Village has always been about creating a properly planned, mixed community. These homes will be delivered to the same design standards as the wider village and will add affordable housing over and above what is required through the planning process.
“We are pleased to be working with Homes England and Darlington Borough Council to bring these homes forward.”
Graham Brookfield, senior manager, affordable housing growth, North East Yorkshire and Humber, at Homes England, said: “As the Government’s housing and regeneration agency, increasing the supply of quality affordable homes remains one of our key objectives and we are committed to supporting ambitious housebuilders of all sizes to build those homes and communities.
“This investment through the Social and Affordable Homes Programme allows our partners and registered providers to do just that, it has enabled Hellens Residential Limited to build 122 much needed new homes the people of Darlington can be proud of.”
Cllr Chris McEwan, cabinet member for economy at Darlington Borough Council, said: “This funding marks another important step in work to deliver the social housing Darlington urgently needs.
“Hellens Residential has shown real commitment to Burtree Garden Village and to ensuring that affordable homes are part of its progress from the outset, and I am pleased the council has been able to support that work.”
