33 'affordable homes' to be built near Malvern Crescent, Seaham

Plans for 33 homes in Seaham were approved by Durham County Council’s planning committee on Tuesday. 

The social rent units will be built as part of the local authority’s Council Homes programme, supported by local construction company T Manners & Sons, to deliver 500 new affordable homes across County Durham. 

Council officials said the increased need for affordable homes has meant that families requiring a home have been placed in temporary accommodation while they wait for a suitable home to become available. 

A mix of bungalows and multi-room homes will be built across the site near Malvern Crescent. (Image: ELG Planning)

A mix of bungalows and multi-room homes will be built across the site near Malvern Crescent. The site previously contained a residential development along both sides and along Oxford Close in the late 1980s and early 1990s but has since been cleared and is currently public open space. 

“The proposed scheme will provide a mix of 33 homes at Portland Avenue to meet affordable housing needs and is in a suitable location with the development having good links to local services and facilities and is the first new social housing to be delivered directly by Durham County Council,” a statement read.  

“The proposed development will also help to reduce problems in the local area with anti-social behaviour.”

Councillor Alan Bell praised the social rent aspect of the homes, saying they would be accessible to a wide range of people. “It’s brilliant to see this application come forward; it ticks all the boxes,” he told the planning committee. 

In July 2023, the council agreed on an updated plan to build new council homes across the region to provide accommodation for those in need.

An initial target of up to 500 homes by 2026 was revised after the local authority admitted it could not achieve it due to delays. The scheme is instead due to be delivered by 2029 but could be extended beyond 2029 and the number of new houses built could exceed 500.

Alongside Seaham, new homes will be built at Greenwood Avenue in Burnhope and Merrington View in Spennymoor. Work is also ongoing to convert buildings and acquire properties throughout the county where there is limited land but a need for affordable housing. 

Recommended reading: 

• Date confirmed for parking charges at Crimdon Beach car park

• 'Save Our Surgery': Hundreds back plea to keep 'vital' County Durham GP surgery open

• 'They’ve let the people down': Fears for County Durham community if surgery closes

While not objecting to the proposal, Dawdon county councillor Kevin Shaw said the council should not ignore the huge demand for bungalow accommodation around the county. 

“Initially, the proposal for this site was to solely provide bungalows; it has been identified as one of the top areas in the county that requires bungalow accommodation,” he said. 

“We’ve got 3,500 applicants on the housing register in the waiting list for bungalows. We are exhausting an opportunity to provide bungalows here. These bungalows are never going to get built.”