PLANS for a new housing development of 163 homes in Houghton have sparked a flurry of opinions from locals. 

It comes after Gleeson Homes submitted plans for housing on 7.9 hectares of agricultural land off Brunstock Lane. 

The development put forward will comprise of a mix of 2,3 and 4-bedroom semi-detached and detached homes. 

Developer Gleeson said the build will help deliver extra council tax funding, homes for first-time buyers as well as help sustain and create jobs for the local community. 

£13,855,000 is estimated to be spent on labour, goods and services in constructing the build. 

Various concerns have been raised by the community questioning whether the build will strike a balance between economic development and environmental preservation, all the whilst not adding to an 'already strained' infrastructure. 

Expressing worries about flooding risks and strained infrastructure, Martin Harkins opposes the development.

"I would think building over a beck and an area liable for flooding would be a very bad idea. Not to mention increasing the size of a village beyond local infrastructure," he said. 

In contrast, Liam Jones welcomed the news, celebrating the benefits increased housing development could bring to the city.

Shirley Wood however, voiced her concerns over the continuous growth of housing developments within the city, when particularly considering the St Cuthberts Garden Village 10,000 homes project. 

"There is going to be no green belts anywhere and no wildlife.

"Who on earth can afford to buy these properties," she said. 

According to Gleeson, all homes will be energy efficient and have the latest technology air source heat pumps to ensure carbon emissions are kept to a minimum, keeping customers' energy bills at a minimum. 

News & Star reader Cornelius333333 welcomed the news of a heat source pump within new builds such as these, which he believes the properties will become a hot ticket amongst buyers. 

Jason Brewer questioned the claim that the development will provide funds for new school places, suspecting that it might simply come from generated council tax rather than the construction of actual schools, adding to further pressure on current infrastructure. 

Gleeson Homes hopes the project will be delivered in the next two years.