Placefirst has broken ground on The Oaks, its £13m single-family Build to Rent development in Esh Winning, Durham.The start of construction was marked by a ceremony attended by members of the Placefirst project team and representatives from Durham County Council.
Located six miles west of Durham city centre, The Oaks will deliver 89 homes for long-term rent – a mix of 54 bungalows and 35 three-bedroom houses.Placefirst has worked with architect POD Newcastle and landscape architect Southern Green to design the scheme that is to transform the two-hectare brownfield site.
“We are proud to commence work at Esh Winning, a project that will bring new life to the site and deliver 89 high-quality single-family homes for rent to the Northeast. The team have worked hard to bring this development together and we’d like to thank them as well as Durham County Council who have shown great enthusiasm throughout.
“With a proven track record of placemaking and regeneration, we are pleased to be bringing new single-family rental properties to the area that will make a lasting positive impact on the community. We look forward to work completing in late 2024.”
James Litherland, Planning and Development Manager, Placefirst
The development is intended to provide a boost to the village and benefit local services, businesses and amenities. The site’s proximity to the open countryside and green space is expected to be attractive to new residents, as well as its proximity to surrounding towns and Durham city centre.
“We are pleased to see work getting underway on this development and look forward to its completion. Having access to good-quality housing is vital to the wellbeing of our residents.
“With a mixture of bungalows and houses for single families and new homes for rent, this scheme will help to meet local needs”.
Cllr James Rowlandson, Cabinet Member for Resources, Investment and Assets, Durham County Council
Placefirst aims to show its commitment to placemaking and sustainability through the retention of oak trees and a network of shared green spaces for residents at The Oaks scheme.
“I have been campaigning for the delivery of bungalows on this site for a long time, so I am delighted to see work start. On behalf of the ward councillors, I’d like to thank Placefirst for their commitment to this project. We are pleased they will be maintaining the existing oak trees as part of the landscaping, and I look forward to seeing the neighbourhood complete in 2024.”
Cllr Jean Chaplow
Placefirst is responsible for all aspects of the home and neighbourhood, and each development has a resident services manager. In addition to The Oaks, Placefirst has created other communities in the Northeast region, including The Green in Hartlepool and Scholar’s View, a Build to Rent neighbourhood of 116 homes in Hetton-le-Hole, Sunderland.
