AN MP has officially unveiled a new development of family homes.

Shadow Housing and Planning Minister Roberta Blackman-Woods opened the nine-home Sleetburn Court development in New Brancepeth.

The three and four-bedroom development has been built by Prince Bishops Homes, a subsidiary of the housing association Derwentside Homes.

The City of Durham MP said: “I am really pleased to be opening this development of new homes in Durham.

“Derwentside Homes is renowned for the quality of its new housing and it is excellent that the association is providing much needed homes for sale in our more rural communities.”

They are also the first new properties built for sale by Prince Bishops Homes, which traditionally offered properties for rent.

The company hopes the development, and others like it currently under construction, will help meet the demand for new properties in more rural locations in and around Durham.

Prince Bishops Homes’ Chief Executive Keith Tallintire said: “There are very few developments of this kind being built in the area so we believe there will be huge demand from first time buyers looking to stay in the village, as well as people looking to move to a more rural location but still within easy reach of the city.”

The homes are all available through the Government’s Help to Buy scheme, which offers buyers with a five per cent deposit the chance to take a five-year interest free loan covering 20 per cent of the value, with the remaining 75 per cent on conventional mortgage.