Planners approve £6 million investment in Cockerton

Published by Brian Church for 24dash.com in Housing

Planners have approved a £6 million investment in the development of new housing for the Cockerton area of Darlington.

Darlington Council gave the go-ahead to construction company Esh Group for the demolition of 76 one- and two-bedroom council flats and a small number of family homes to make way for 84 new family homes.

The majority of the 84 new homes will be for rent from Endeavour Housing Association, part of the North Star Housing Group, and the remainder for sale. Endeavour will own and manage the properties on completion.

Angela Lockwood, Group Chief Executive of North Star Housing Group, said: "The scheme will bring high quality, environmentally friendly homes to those in housing need."

Work is also due for completion this month on the refurbishment of 142 council homes, funded by revenue from council housing rent.

The development work is being funded by Esh Group along with a £900,000 grant from the HCA. As part of the project, Esh Group’s ‘Dudley the Elephant’ will work with pupils at local schools to raise awareness of building site safety and to involve the pupils in plans for the area. 

Representatives from Darlington Council, Esh Group, Endeavour Housing Association and the HCA took part in the official opening of the project (photo).