PAVEMENTS and paths leading to hundreds of housing group homes are receiving a £530,000 makeover.

Work is currently taking place in Brandon, near Durham, as part of a £138m investment programme that will transform thousands of affordable homes over the next ten years.

County Durham Housing Group is carrying out the improvements in Stack Garth, High Shaws, Sycamore Park and Holly Park.

Properties in Croft Rigg, Willow Close, Bell Meadow and White Cedars have already benefited from the footpath improvement works.

A total £750,000 is being invested in footpaths in the village over the next year.

As well as improving access and safety, the new surfacing is making a major difference to the appearance of the neighbourhood.

Work to fencing and footpaths feature alongside major upgrades to insulation, fitting new roofs, plus installing new kitchens, bathrooms or heating systems in the overall investment programme, which will benefit homes stretching from rural Weardale to the Durham coast.

The group’s managing quantity surveyor, Stephen Clarke, said: “We’re carrying out huge changes to the interior and exterior of thousands of homes as part of this investment programme.

“It would be easy to forget the important role that upgrading and improving the safety of access to the homes plays too.”

The housing group was formerly known as Keepmoat Regeneration.

It now has more than 18,500 affordable homes for rent across the county and also has a 545-home new-build programme.

More than 100 properties have already been completed, and construction is underway on sites in Bowburn, Peterlee and Bishop Auckland.

The refurbishments are being carried out with specialist contractors ENGIE, which was awarded the £138m contract following a competitive bidding process.

Mr Clarke said: “We’ve been working closely with residents to minimise disruption and will be completing the upgrades as quickly as possible.”