As the Local Planning Authority, Durham County Council is responsible for deciding whether a development, anything from an extension on a house to a new shopping centre, should go ahead. When this application was submitted it was clear that the development was unique by creating a Garden Village, providing not only homes but community facilities to support them.

Durham County Council is keen to maximise the amount of affordable housing available to residents. The application to deliver 750 homes as an affordable product was one that meets local needs and provides a variety of tenures.

Tolent was formed in 1983 and has become one of the largest construction companies in the North East, with regional teams working all over the UK. Its values are traditional and simple: it looks after its people, takes pride in its work and gets the job finished on time and on budget. From £5,000 projects to £190 million developments, its experience spans a number of industry sectors.

As a key partner in the Seaham Garden Village, Tolent will build the 750 affordable homes on the development. Having owned the land for a number of years, the team has worked closely with all of the partners through the development stages of the project to help create a truly inclusive community for the local area.