Esh Construction has handed over the first 11 homes at Seaham Garden Village, marking a significant milestone in delivering affordable housing at the new development.

The initial completions have enabled Karbon Homes to open two three-bedroom show homes for prospective residents considering a move to the community.

These properties are the first of 750 that Karbon will deliver over the next 10 years on the 78-hectare site, with more than 200 currently under way across three phases.

Mark Binns, Operations Director at Esh Construction, said: "We’re incredibly proud to reach this major milestone at Seaham Garden Village. Opening the show homes at this juncture is the result of a huge collective effort from everyone involved since breaking ground and it’s fantastic to see the vision for this new community starting to take shape.

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"Our close collaboration with Karbon Homes has been central to delivering high-quality, sustainable homes that will benefit local people for generations to come. It’s brilliant to now be able to open the doors and show the local community exactly what’s being built on their doorstep – homes that are not only affordable, but part of a vibrant, inclusive neighbourhood."

A further 60 homes are due to complete over the next 12 months as part of Karbon’s first phase. Phases two and three will add 84 and 57 homes respectively, comprising a mix of family homes and apartments.

The properties will be offered through a range of tenures, including social rent and affordable rent, as well as affordable home ownership options such as Rent to Buy and Shared Ownership, helping residents take their first step onto the property ladder.

Located off the A182 as it approaches Seaham town centre, the 78-hectare village will include a new primary school, convenience retail, health and wellbeing facilities, and more than three miles of landscaped walking and cycling routes.

The affordable homes will tap into one of the UK’s first large-scale mine water heat projects, led by Durham County Council and the Mining Remediation Authority and delivered by Vital Energi, with the first homes set to connect in the new year.

Delivery is supported by funding from Homes England through Karbon's Strategic Partnership with the government’s housing delivery agency. Alongside the affordable programme, a further 750 homes are being built for outright sale by Taylor Wimpey and Miller Homes.