Brandon
regenerating brandon
Durham County Council unanimously approved believe housing’s plans for 90 new affordable homes in Brandon, on Tuesday (14 July 2026), marking a significant milestone in a regeneration project years in the making.
The scheme will regenerate a 3.8-hectare site previously occupied by flats and bungalows at Silver Courts, Vicarage Flats, Rowan Lea and Red Firs. Customers were supported to move and compensated before the homes were demolished.
The development, worth more than £20 million, will transform a prominent site in the centre of Brandon, with a mix of modern, energy-efficient homes and improved open spaces.
The approved plans will see 10 bungalows and 80 houses built for social rent, shared ownership and Rent to Buy, with a mix of two, three and four-bedroom homes.
The development will make the most of its sustainable central location, with shops, schools, healthcare services and public transport all within easy reach.
Each home will have its own private garden and parking, along with energy-efficient features including air source heat pumps, electric vehicle charging points and, where appropriate, solar panels.
The homes will be spacious and designed to adapt to residents’ changing needs.
The plan also includes new green spaces, landscaping and enhanced wildlife habitats, including bird and bat boxes and new hedgerows.
Improved walking routes, upgrades to an existing bus stop and the addition of a new bus stop will help residents travel around the local area.
Construction could begin before the end of 2026, subject to Homes England funding being secured.
first off-gas new build homes
A former pub site in the heart of Brandon has been regenerated with 12 beautiful energy efficient new homes.
The development at Mill Close in Brandon, near Durham consists of three two-bed and nine three-bed houses.
Each property comes with an air-source heat pumps, solar panels and battery storage units which will allow customers to store electricity for later use, and infrastructure to enable electrical vehicle charging, as well as individual driveways and gardens.
We are currently seeking planning permission to build a mix of bungalows and family homes on an adjacent brownfield site, as we continue support the regeneration of central Brandon through investment in existing homes and the delivery of new ones.
find out moreCustomer testimonial
“believe housing were amazing, they couldn’t have done more to make it as easy as possible.
With their support, I moved into a new home in Brandon and my old next-door neighbour, who I was worried about leaving, is just across the road from me. I absolutely love my new house."
more on the masterplan
Consultants URBED worked with believe housing and the community to develop the first stage of the Brandon Masterplan.
You can read the full summary, which has been broken down into sections, below:
Intro
Background
Study area place
Study area people
Consultation
Analytics and conclusion