Images of how a 57-home 'luxury' housing estate will look once built in County Durham have been revealed, as work progresses on the site. 

Housebuilder Robertson Homes has completed the acquisition of nine acres of land within the country estate of Lambton Park in County Durham, with work underway to build the collection of 57 four, five and six-bedroom homes.

Gateshead-based Robertson Homes will deliver the properties within the 1,200-acre Lambton Estate near Chester-le-Street.

The estate is historically the ancestral seat of the Earls of Durham and home to Biddick Hall and Lambton Castle, which date back to the 18th and 19th Centuries respectively.

The Northern Echo: The first new homes at Lionfields are expected to be released for sale in January 2024The first new homes at Lionfields are expected to be released for sale in January 2024 (Image: ROBERTSON HOMES)

Robertson Homes’ Lionfields development takes its name from the popular tourist attraction – Lambton Lion Park – which saw visitors from around the country visit County Durham in the 1970s to see lions, hippos, giraffes, elephants and zebra.

Alongside the houses, there will be a residential area, which includes nature walks, picnic areas, fire pits with barbeques, nature area, a jungle gym and more.

A new central community hub, known as Bowes Gate, will feature a traditional High Street, with a range of independent businesses providing the daily facilities the new community requires.

Dee Colonia, sales director at Robertson Homes North East, said: “Lionfields is an extraordinary opportunity for people to become an integral part of a time-honoured tradition, living within an estate community on a characteristically English country estate.

“We have worked closely with the Lambton Park team to deliver their vision for sensitive and considered development. Our new homes will appeal to a range of buyers and will feature Robertson’s trademark high specifications, large plot sizes, award-winning spacious designs and our signature garden rooms, which link the inside to the outside of the home.”

Lionfields follows approval to re-develop Lambton Park in 2016 and planning consent was granted for new homes, offices, retail and community space.

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Conservation works across the park to restore the heritage assets including Lambton Castle, nearby stables and the iconic Lamb Bridge, will be funded by the development.

The first new homes at Lionfields are expected to be released for sale in January 2024.

Mrs Colonia added: “Interest in this development is already high and we are encouraging people to register to be among the first to receive information on the exciting new homes we will be releasing early next year.”