PLANNING permission has been granted for a development of 116 new homes on council-owned land.

The development is the first to be carried out in Seaham by the Durham Villages Regeneration Company.

The Heathway development, in the Parkside area of the town, will include 105 homes of between two and four bedrooms, for sale at market value.

There will be a further three for sale with a 30 per cent discount to qualifying local buyers and eight put on the market at an affordable rent through the County Durham Housing Group.

Developers say the estate has community support, having attracted no objections and having won the backing of local ward councillor Kevin Shaw.

Cllr Shaw said: “I am delighted that this development has been approved and together with the local community, very much look forward to the delivery of much-needed new homes”

Durham Villages Regeneration Company is a joint venture initiative between Durham County Council and Keepmoat Homes which has built more than 1,300 homes over the last 15 years, around a quarter of which are for shared ownership or affordable rent.

The company is spending around £16 million on the development and it is hoped work will start on site in the autumn.

Cllr Carl Marshall, chair of DVRC, said: “This is the partnership’s first development in Seaham and it demonstrates our commitment to delivering a range of housing schemes with a focus on regenerating local communities”.