HOUSEBUILDER Haslam Homes has chosen Newton Aycliffe as the location for its first new development of the year.

The site, a mile from the town centre, received planning permission just before Christmas, with the final seal of approval coming last week.

The development is part of a £4m scheme to build new homes across the region this year and will provide 59 semi-detached homes and detached homes opposite Haslam previous site, The Acorns, which was completed last year.

Construction will begin next month, with the first phase of homes being released in April.

Richard Bass, regional land manager for Haslam Homes, said: "Demand for homes on The Acorns exceeded all expectations, so we are pleased to be able to offer homebuyers another chance to buy in this location, and I am confident we will have a similar level of response."

Haslam Homes' new investment in the region follows a successful last year when it developed more than 250 homes across the region