PEOPLE tuning into their televisions over the weekend may notice some familiar surroundings after it was confirmed that County Durgam would feature on a popular Sunday night show.

Viewers of BBC 1’s Countryfile will be used to the sights of natural beauty spots, stunning coastal paths and amazing woodland walks, but on this week’s episode, people will get to see a new sustainable concept village in Seaham.

At 5.10pm on Sunday (January 23), telly watchers will be able to see the innovative South Seaham Garden Village development, which gained approval in 2020 from the government, with the project going ‘full steam ahead’ ever since.

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Over the coming years, the scheme is set to bring 1,500 new homes to the edge of the coastal town, along with a hub, shops and a café, a new primary school, a park and village square, and a health and well-being community hub, which includes a gym.

The development was selected by Countryfile, due to its green credentials of building houses, with heat extracted from nearby former coal workings providing low carbon heating to the houses.

It was also given the nod to appear on the BBC show because of the affordable housing potential and the fact that it will also include an innovation hub that will be used by new and existing businesses, along with the region’s universities.

Seaham’s inclusion on Countryfile will see Cllr Mark Wilkes, cabinet member for neighbourhoods and climate change at Durham County Council, speak to programme presenter Anita Rani about the potential for housing, job and economic growth for the area.

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