THE development of seven new bungalows at Langley Park in County Durham is now back on track after Dunelm Property Services were chosen as the preferred builder.

Work started on the £700,000 development in September last year, but had to be put on hold in January, after Newcastle-based Dorin Construction went into administration.

Social landlord Riverside is working in partnership with Dunelm, which is part of County Durham-based Esh Group, to provide the bungalows, due for completion at the end of June.

The two-bed homes will be built to Code for Sustainable Homes Level 3, which means they will comply with enhanced environmental regulations.

The homes are designed to enhance energy efficiency and minimise environmental impact, and include environmentally-friendly timber frames, solar panels and water butts.

Stephen Francis, managing director of Dunelm Property Services, said: “We’re delighted to be working with Riverside on this project. These will be great new homes for their residents in Langley Park.

“Being built to Code 3 standard means the homes will be easy and cost-effective to run.”

The Langley Park properties will be advertised through Durham Key Options, the local authority service, which allocates social housing throughout County Durham.

Andrew Williamson, project manager at Riverside said, “The new technologies used at Langley Park enable us to provide more sustainable homes and reduce daily running costs for our tenants at a time when saving money is at the top of everyone’s agenda.”

Other developments being developed by Dunelm include the construction of 20 environmentally friendly homes in the village of St Helen Auckland, County Durham.