new affordable housing developments to boost rural communities

believe housing has announced plans to provide new affordable homes on two new build developments.

To help address the pressing need for affordable housing in rural County Durham, believe housing will take a total of 25 homes on new build schemes by Bellway Homes, at Wolsingham, and Persimmon Homes, on the edge of Crook.

In Wolsingham, 12 two-bedroom homes will be provided between March 2026 and May 2027. Half of these homes will be for affordable rent, while the other half will be available for shared ownership.

In Crook, the not-for-profit landlord will acquire 13 homes, including 10 two-bedroom and three three-bedroom houses. These will become available for affordable rent between this winter and summer 2029.

On both sites, the homes are being acquired through Section 106 agreements, which were used by Durham County Council to ensure the developers include affordable homes in their new build schemes.

Kate Abson, Director of Assets and Development at believe housing, said: “There is an urgent need for affordable housing, including in rural areas.

“With these two schemes, we are ensuring more people can access the homes they need and supporting the local economy during construction and once the homes are lived in.

“These homes will be high-quality and energy-efficient, providing warmth and health benefits while helping to lower residents’ energy bills.”

The housing association expects its affordable homes on both sites to be very popular due to high local housing demand.

In its recent 20-home development at Stanners Close in Wolsingham, there were an average of 173 bids for the two-bed houses and 79 bids for the two-bed bungalows for rent.

In Crook, it receives around 77 bids for existing two-bed houses and 33 for three-bed houses and anticipates even greater demand for new builds.