A new housing development along Woodham Way has been causing traffic issues.
Chapter Homes – a new housing venture set up by Durham County Council – has started work on the 125-home development at Agnew 5.
As revealed by Aycliffe Today last August, the new venture will provide 10 two-bed houses, 83 three-bed and 20 four-bed houses, of which 13 would be affordable and 33 would be market rented homes.
Plans submitted for 125-home Woodham development
Contractors have started preparing the ground but access to the site has been causing traffic problems along Woodham’s main road.
But County Councillors John Clare and Joan Gray have sought to reassure residents the problems will be shortlived.
“Cllr Joan Gray has looked into the matter, and has been informed that the contractors have just started work preparing the ground,” said Cllr Clare.
“The formation level has been tested and stone is being brought in to start constructing the entrance road.
“Once the road is partially built any contractors on site will be expected to enter the site and park within the compound that is currently being prepared.
“Parking on Agnew Way and Woodham Way will continue for a short time until the compound is built and accessible but after that we would not expect vehicles to be left on the road side.”
Chapter Homes was formed by Durham Council to improve the county’s housing offer and the 4.2-hectare development at Agnew is its pilot project.
A public consultation exercise was held at the Pioneering Care Partnership, Cobblers Hall, last June.
The applicant said overall response was favourable and most people were happy with the design of the properties and that houses would not be crammed into the site.
Concerns were raised that it would lead to traffic problems, loss of wildlife and natural space, building would cause noise and dust and that local infrastructure such as schools and sewerage works could not cope.
A handful of complaints were made in relation to the application but councillors voted in favour of the development.
Aycliffe site is pilot for council’s new private housing venture