More than 100 new affordable homes completed as part of £70m housing project

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Three brownfield sites in Peterlee have been transformed by County Durham-based believe housing to create 108 new homes – a mix of family houses and bungalows - in Robson Avenue, Tamar Close and Teign Close.

The new homes are currently welcoming their first families after the £17m investment – part of believe housing’s £70m programme to construct 700 homes.

In Robson Avenue, the site of the old Eden Community Primary School, 48 two and three-bedroom houses plus 19 bungalows have been built, including 25 available through the Government-backed Rent to Buy scheme.

Chris Price, of Tolent with believe housing's Rebecca Marshall at Teign Close, Peterlee.

The project was conceived by Vistry Partnerships North East.

Using some of its own Affordable Housing Programme (AHP) grant, secured from Homes England, the regeneration and housing specialist identified the site, developed the design concept and led the planning process before constructing the homes in partnership with believe housing.

In Tamar Close and Teign Close, 29 three-bed family houses have been built alongside 10 two-bed and a pair of three-bed bungalows.

Construction has been carried out by North-East-based contractor Tolent.

One of the new homes in Robson Avenue, in Peterlee, completed by believe housing and Vistry Partnerships North East.

Believe housing development delivery manager Rebecca Marshall said: “Peterlee is one of the areas with strongest demand for affordable homes in the North East. That’s why we’ve invested heavily in the area.

“We’re really proud that we’ve been able to deliver these new homes on brownfield sites that have been easy to integrate into the community, while helping meet demand.”

Andrew Rennie, development director with Vistry Partnerships North East, added: “We are delighted to be continuing our partnership with believe housing and to have been able to use our expertise, experience and grant funding to identify and kick start viable projects, which the region’s housing providers to meet housing need.”

Chris Price, regional director for Tolent, said: "I'm very proud of the team who have delivered an outstanding, high quality project that we know is going to make a huge difference to the local community here in Peterlee. It was great working with the believe housing team, and we look forward to working with them again soon."