A £100 million scheme to deliver hundreds of new council houses across County Durham has taken a major step forward, with the appointment of a delivery partner.

Durham County Council is planning to provide 500 properties, a mix of bungalows and houses that will be truly affordable and let on secure tenancies, and have appointed Bishop Auckland company T Manners to help deliver them.

Cllr James Rowlandson, our Cabinet member for resources, investments and assets, said: "We are in the midst of a national housing crisis. Not enough properties are being built to meet demand - including the need for affordable housing - and many families are struggling financially in the wake of the recent spikes in inflation and interest rates.

"County Durham is no different to the rest of the country in that regard and that is why we have taken up the government's invitation for councils to address the shortage.

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"We are looking to deliver 500 properties across County Durham, with a mix of bungalows and houses, for the benefit of local people and those in housing need.

"This programme will see an investment in the county of around £100m - a significant boost for our economy. It will protect existing jobs and create new jobs in the construction industry, and associated supply chain.

"In keeping with our County Durham Pound project, the ability to drive long-term social, economic and environmental benefits, or social value, is fundamentally important to us. It's great therefore to be working in partnership with a locally owned family business to deliver this ambitious programme, which will make a significant difference to those in housing need across the county.

"We look forward to announcing more details of this exciting programme as the sites we are planning to develop progress."

Simon Manners, Managing Director of T Manners; added: "We are delighted to have been selected to work alongside Durham County Council as delivery partner in its house building programme.

"As a County Durham based SME specialising in the delivery of affordable housing, we are extremely well placed to create not just the homes which will make such a difference to people's lives, but also jobs and the wider economic growth this contract will provide.

"The framework contract will be a catalyst for the continued sustainable growth of the business, and the whole team within T Manners is excited about working with Durham County Council."