Esh Construction has been selected to develop over 100 new homes in Pelton, Co Durham.

The £25 million project will be delivered on the site of the former Roseberry Sports Community College and has been hailed as a welcome boost for local housing stock.

The development will include 52 rent-to-buy properties, a mix of two and three bedroom family homes aimed at people looking to take the first steps on the property ladder, alongside 31 apartments and eight bungalows for over 50s.

Chris Hale, Esh's Pre-Construction Director, said: "This is a significant contract award for our affordable housing division, and we're delighted to build on our successful working relationship by securing another scheme with Karbon Homes.


"More than 70 properties will be built utilising timber frame, providing additional environmental efficiencies throughout the build process. We look forward to getting work underway and delivering more environmentally friendly new build affordable homes across the North East."

The development will be part-funded through Karbon’s £165 million strategic partnership with Homes England, to develop 2,200 much-needed affordable homes across the North East and Yorkshire by 2028.

The new homes have been designed to meet the highest energy efficiency standards. The houses and bungalows will all achieve an energy performance certificate rating of A, will be fitted with solar photovoltaic panels and electric charging points, and will be powered by air source heat pumps.

The apartments will also benefit from a communal green heating system, with heating and hot water provided by an exhaust air source heat pump.