Plans for hundreds of homes to be unveiled to villagers (From The Advertiser Series)

Plans for hundreds of homes to be unveiled to villagers

11:36am Tuesday 5th February 2013 in News

A DEVELOPER says its plans for new housing could give a big boost to the economy of a former pit village.

Stockton-based Southlands Management Limited is looking to build 400 homes on the eastern edge of Langley Park, four miles from Durham City.

The £30m scheme will consist of three, four and five bedroom homes and the company says 20 per cent will be earmarked for families on lower incomes.

Southlands Management Limited, which plans to renovate the rundown Langley Park Old Rec nature reserve, which borders the development site, estimates that the scheme could bring an extra £3m into the local economy.

Durham County Council has identified the site as a ‘preferred option’ for housing development in the Local Plan that it is drawing up.

The Newcastle office of planning consultants Nathaniel Lichfield and Partners (NLP) is handling the planning application on behalf of Southlands.

It is inviting residents to view the plans at a consultation event later this week.

NLP associate director Neil Westwick said: “Langley Park has been boosted by a number of new housing developments in recent years and this new scheme will enhance that recent improvement to the village’s economy.

“This is a major proposed investment and the developers are keen to ensure that there is provision for families of all pockets, with one in five of the homes being earmarked for those on lower incomes.”

The developer claims the scheme is likely to create 30 additional construction jobs while work is underway and that it will provide extra trade for local shops.

It also says Durham County Council coffers will be boosted by £3m from the Government’s New Homes Bonus if the scheme goes ahead and £600,000 in Council Tax payments.

The public consultation event will be held at the village’s Wood View Community Centre on Thursday (February 7) between 4 and 7.30pm and on Saturday (February 9) between 10am and 1pm.

Anyone unable to attend the events can find out more about the development proposals by calling Neil Westwick or Alexandra Crowe at NLP Newcastle on 0191-261-5685.

A full planning application is expected to be submitted to Durham County Council for approval later in the year.