Work starts on Durham’s 1,900-house Sniperley Park
Following a process that has been blighted by appeals and delays, Bellway is now underway with 368 homes at DH1, its section of a garden neighbourhood on the north east edge of the city.
Located at the edge of Sniperley Farm, DH1 will have 92 affordable homes for local people, available through both reduced-rent and shared ownership models.
The homes will range from one-bedroom apaprtments through to five-bed houses, with solar panels and air source heat pumps.
Bellway’s North East division will build 179 homes under the Bellway brand at DH1, while the company’s Durham division is delivering 189 properties under the Ashberry Homes brand at The Green at DH1, with the first homes expected to be completed by next summer.
Full planning permission for the estate was granted last August by the Secretary of State for Housing and Planning, Matthew Pennycook, following an appeal after Durham County Council rejected applications from Bellway and County Durham Land.
County Durham Land was also granted permission by Pennycook to build 1,550 homes, a local centre, a pub, and a primary school on a neighbouring parcel of land.
As part of the planning agreement for DH1, Bellway will provide funding of almost £5m for local infrastructure and facilities, including a new primary school and nursery, the extension of an existing secondary school, a new healthcare facility, and transport improvements.
The development will include 19 acres of public open space, incorporating a linear park, a large area of meadow grassland, and play facilities.
Bellway has also been given outline consent for an extension of the neighbouring Sniperley Park and Ride.
Emma Chesterton, Sales Director for Bellway North East, said: “Our DH1 development will be at the forefront of this ambitious and exciting project to create an attractive and sustainable new garden neighbourhood on the edge of Durham.
“A quarter of the homes will be provided as affordable housing to give those unable to buy on the open market the opportunity to secure a home close to friends and family.
“Inclusivity has been built into the design of these new homes. Two-thirds of the properties will be accessible and adaptable for wheelchair users, while 10% have been designed to meet the requirements of older residents.
“As part of the development, four existing 19th century farm buildings on the site will be retained and sympathetically converted into new homes.”
