Housebuilder Bellway will build 428 homes in the first phase of a new neighbourhood in the West End of Darlington.
The Bellway development will be called Baydale Village and include 300 homes for private sale and 128 affordable homes, after Darlington Borough Council granted planning permission.
It will form part of a neighbourhood of up to 985 properties with proposed facilities such as a GP surgery, shop, sports pitches and land for a primary and early years school.
Mark Gabriele, head of land for Bellway Durham, said: “Baydale Village is the largest project we have yet undertaken at Bellway Durham so gaining reserved matters approval for phase 1 is a landmark moment for us.
“The site was allocated for housing in the Darlington Local Plan, and our development will provide exactly what this area needs in terms of high-quality homes that people will enjoy living in, in the years ahead.
“And with 30% of the properties being designated as affordable homes, there are opportunities here for people to have a home at Baydale Village through rental, shared ownership or First Homes for discounted sale.
“This will be a very attractive development to buyers because of the variety of modern, energy-efficient homes we have planned. The green open spaces provided combined with the convenient location will be beneficial for customers. A neighbourhood of this size will deliver a significant boost to the local economy, creating jobs and supporting businesses.”
Work is anticipated to start on site in December and the first homes are expected to be completed by the end of 2026.
The private homes will range from two to five-bedroom designs and include 20 bungalows suitable for elderly purchasers or those with disabilities.
The 128 affordable homes will be available for local people through low-cost rent, shared ownership, or sold via the First Homes scheme which gives eligible buyers a discount on the full cost.
Baydale Village will feature green open spaces and ponds. Trees, mixed shrubs and hedgerows will be planted to help provide wildlife habitats. Nest boxes will be placed at more than 70 of the properties, including swift boxes and sparrow/starling terraces next to open spaces to increase the availability of nesting sites.