A PLANNING application for a large-scale housing development in Faverdale has been submitted to Darlington Borough Council.

Developer St Modwen wants to build 600-family homes on land off Whessoe Road, and a nearby brownfield site known as Faverdale 58 which was previously intended for industrial use.

The scheme, dubbed Faverdale Garden Village, includes employment units, a small retail centre and improved cycle and pedestrian links for Faverdale.

St Modwen also plans to work with Tees Valley Housing to ensure that a fifth of the development comprises of affordable homes.

Nick Whittingham, land director at St Modwen, said: “The proposed level of affordable housing is considerably higher than average.

“These homes would be delivered at an early stage of the wider development and would assist the council in meeting their housing targets.

“The local community would also benefit from the provision of new open space and the improvement of bus, cycle and walking links.”

The new proposal will supersede a previous planning permission for 250 houses on the Whessoe Road site and an employment scheme on Faverdale 58, for which there is limited market demand.