Publication Date: 02-05-2025 09:00
Bellway puts first spade into ground at former steelworks site in Wolsingham
Bellway Durham has broken ground at the former Weardale Steelworks site in Wolsingham, where it is to build 120 new homes.
Construction work is now underway at The Old Foundry, a 13.7-acre site off Durham Road, where the housebuilder is to deliver 108 new homes for private sale and 12 affordable homes available for local people through shared ownership or affordable rent.
The ground-breaking ceremony at the site was attended by key representatives from Bellway Durham: Managing Director Frank Lincoln, Head of Sales Christie Edge, Head of Construction Daniel Ferguson and Commercial Director Chris Forshaw.
Christie said: “The ground-breaking ceremony marked an important milestone at The Old Foundry, signalling the start of the construction process to transform this disused former industrial site into a vibrant new neighbourhood.
“We are looking forward to progressing with our plans to deliver a collection of two to five-bedroom houses and a number of two-bedroom bungalows, designed to meet local housing needs.
“These high-quality, energy-efficient homes will be fitted with PV solar panels and electric vehicle charging points, helping new residents minimise both their energy bills and their carbon footprint.
“Due to the excellent choice of homes and the desirable location of The Old Foundry, with Wolsingham centre just a 10-minute walk away, well-regarded schools in the area and excellent road connections to the wider region, we are expecting to see a great deal of interest in this development.”
As part of the planning agreement for The Old Foundry, Bellway Durham is to invest £234,000 in funding to help improve local infrastructure. This comprises a £224,000 open space contribution to provide and maintain play and recreation space in the area and £10,000 towards local highways improvements.
Christie said: “The former Weardale Steelworks has been closed for more than 15 years but it was operational between 1864 and 2008 and during that time providing employment and the associated economic benefit to Wolsingham.
“This regeneration project will create a new community on the site and by naming it The Old Foundry we are paying tribute to its heritage.
“We are currently selling homes at The Old Foundry from Weardale Property Services in the town centre and have already seen high levels of enquiries for the development.
“We look forward to welcoming visitors to the development when we open on site later this year. We plan to open showhomes in the summer and hope to be in a position to hand over the keys to the first residents in the autumn.”
For more information about The Old Foundry, call the sales team on 01388 300346, visit Weardale Property Services from 10am to 5pm Thursday to Monday, or see https://www.bellway.co.uk/new-homes/durham/the-old-foundry.
