A NORTH-east council is continuing on the latest phase of its award winning new-build programme.

Darlington Borough Council's housing and building services team has designed and built in-house almost 400 homes.

The programme aims to create quality homes for tenants and is bid to build 1,000 new council homes.

The latest scheme is an extension to phase one of Lancaster Close, off McMullen Road, and will consist of 24 two-bedroomed apartments in four blocks of six, one five-bedroomed house, three four-bedroomed houses and 28 three-bedroomed houses.

Councillor Kevin Nicholson, Darlington Borough Council's member for health and housing, said: "“Our teams have continued to work hard during the pandemic to ensure we can provide more affordable homes here in Darlington for people to rent.

"Our vision is to build 1,000 new council homes and develop strong and balanced communities, making sure properties are available for working families as well as older people and those in most need.

“All our new properties have been very popular, with demand for all the developments far outstripping supply, and I’m sure this latest development will be just as popular.”

Work on phase two of Lancaster Close in Darlington is expected to be complete in early 2022.