CONTRACTS have now been signed on an approved scheme to build 40 new affordable homes in Crook.

Plans to build the two and three bedroom homes in West End Villas were given the go-ahead in March and it is hoped construction will be completed early next year.

The project is being delivered by County Durham Housing Group and Galliford Try Partnership North, and is part of a £30m investment programme, expected to create more than 100 jobs and apprenticeships.

All of the homes will be available for affordable rent and will feature high levels of insulation, modern heating systems and double glazing. Such measures are likely to bring great savings to tenants, when compared to older homes, particularly those in the private rented sector.

County Durham Housing Group development manager, Tom Winter, said: “This new project in Crook will help to deliver new, high quality homes to families that really need them.”

The Crook properties are part of a major house building project by the group which will see almost 300 new homes built from rural Weardale to the Durham coast.

Galliford Try has contributed £1.2 million to the scheme.

Alex Ross, the company’s development manager, said: “We are delighted to have been selected to deliver this project.”