believe housing to deliver affordable homes to widen access to sought-after Lambton Park

Not-for-profit housing association believe housing will deliver 45 homes for affordable rent at the scheme near Chester-le-Street, County Durham. The homes will sit within the wider development of the Lambton Estate, the historic seat of the Earls of Durham.

Delivered in partnership with Theakston Land, which is promoting the development, and Adderstone Living, the specialist affordable housing developer appointed to build the homes, they will be owned and managed by believe housing once complete.

They will form part of a new community of around 400 homes, alongside open spaces, community facilities and businesses at the Lions Gate commercial building, which includes ground-floor retail for residents’ day-to-day needs and offices on the upper floors.

Available through affordable rent, the homes will be let at below market rates, helping meet strong demand for housing in the area. In Chester-le-Street, more than 1,200 households are currently registered for social housing through Durham Key Options, with particularly strong demand for family homes.

Anyone interested in the homes must register and apply through Durham Key Options, the choice-based lettings system for social housing in County Durham.

Tom Winter, Assistant Director of Development at believe housing, said: “We’re proud to be partnering with Theakston Land and Adderstone Living to deliver affordable homes at Lambton Park as part of this landmark development.

“These homes will be let at below market rent and will help meet housing demand in the Chester-le-Street area, while giving more people the opportunity to be part of a distinctive and well-connected new community.

“As a not-for-profit housing association, our role is to provide homes people can afford while meeting a range of housing needs.

“Developments like this increase housing choice, support mixed and inclusive communities, and help us reinvest in homes, services and communities across the region.”

The affordable homes are being delivered through a Section 106 agreement as part of the wider masterplan, ensuring affordable housing is included within the development.

Lambton Park is a multi-phase development within the historic Lambton Estate. It is being brought forward through a long-term partnership between the Lambton Estate and Theakston, creating a modern mixed-use community with homes, businesses and leisure opportunities.

Residents will benefit from access to around 14km of permissive routes within parts of the estate, together with the residents-only area known as The Paddocks. There are strong transport links via the nearby A1(M), as well as easy access to local services, schools and leisure facilities.

The development has been designed to reflect its historic setting, with Victorian-inspired architecture including traditional detailing, sash-style windows and slate roofs. While the homes incorporate traditional detailing, they also meet modern standards and feature air source heat pumps and EV chargers for each property.

Theakston Land Director, Samantha Marlow, said: “Working with the Lambton Estate, we are delighted to be bringing forward these units with believe housing with the same quality, setting and attention to detail found across the wider development.”

Stephen McCoy, Chief Executive Officer at Adderstone Living, said: “Lambton Park is a really special place to be building – you can feel the sense of momentum on site.

“Every part of the estate is being brought to life with care, and these 45 homes we’re delivering in partnership with believe housing are no exception. They’re built to last, built to belong and built to give more people the chance to be part of this community.”

For more information about the homes believe housing is delivering at Lambton Park, visit: www.believehousing.co.uk/developments/lambton-park