A MULTI million grant for infrastructure improvements will enable 1,500 new homes to be built in a County Durham town.

The Government has awarded £6.8million to Durham County Council through its Housing Infrastructure Fund to improve infrastructure in Newton Aycliffe.

The authority says work to roads and utilities will help overcome significant development costs that had been affecting the viability of housing sites.

The investment will include upgrading the A167 to reduce congestion and help tackle traffic capacity issues, housing site access roads and to install water, sewerage and power supplies.

Councillor Carl Marshall, cabinet member for economic regeneration, said: “We want to ensure a wide choice of quality homes in areas where people want to live and work.

“This cash will enable the delivery of much-needed new homes in the south of our county, which will have a significant impact on the economic growth of the area and wider county.”