OLD garage blocks on two sites in Peterlee are being converted into four new bungalows in Peterlee.

The new homes will use the floors and the main walls from garages in Malvern Close, near Howletch Lane School, and Severn Close, near the Apollo Pavillion.

Construction will see a purpose-built structure completed off site and lowered into the space created, to make modern, energy efficient bungalows. Each bungalow uses the space previously taken by five garages.

The project is a pilot scheme by County-Durham based housing association Believe Housing, are part of its current project to create more than 110 new affordable homes in the town.

The Patented method was developed by experts in repurposing existing buildings, Husk, and is designed to be a quick and efficient way of creating extra bungalows in an area with high demand for single story homes.

All of the new bungalows will be available for affordable rent when complete, with the first tenants expected to move in during June.

The properties can be easily converted for future customers with specific access requirements, such as wheelchair users.

Dan Mawson, Development Surveyor from believe housing said: “These garages were too small for modern cars and most of them were sitting unused. But demand for affordable bungalows has probably never been higher. This should be the perfect solution to both problems.

“The construction process should be pretty quick, and the end result promises to be a big improvement for the area, as well as some great homes.”

The new bungalows in Peterlee are part of believe housing’s multi-award winning new-build programme. Homes have already completed in locations including Bishop Auckland, Crook, Pity Me and Seaham.

Russell Edwards from Husk said: “We are delighted to be working with believe housing to provide residents with much needed bungalows within their existing neighbourhoods, through the use of our patented method of converting previously undevelopable brownfield sites.”