A new neighbourhood for Spennymoor
The Acorns brought seventy new homes to Spennymoor, a former colliery town in County Durham, as part of a wider regeneration of the area. Maple Oak Homes acted as the developer, with BREE Construction, then operating as Partner Construction, delivering the build across two phases. The scheme provided a mix of affordable and open-market homes designed to suit local families and first-time buyers, with many of the houses offered for sale through the Help to Buy scheme.
The development was structured in phases, allowing homes to be released to the market as the wider site progressed. Phase 1 established the first streets and the design language for the neighbourhood, and Phase 2 added a further thirty-eight homes across a four-acre parcel, with construction on that stage starting in early 2020 following a joint-venture acquisition that secured the future of the site.
Homes and design
The houses at The Acorns were designed with a consistent architectural character across the site, creating a coherent streetscape rather than a collection of unrelated house types. The mix was aimed at a broad range of buyers, from those taking a first step onto the housing ladder to growing families looking for more space, and the Help to Buy offer made the homes accessible to purchasers across the North East, Yorkshire and the Humber.
Delivered over a period running from 2014 to 2018 for the early phases, with later phases following, the scheme reflected a long-term commitment to Spennymoor. Maple Oak Homes maintained an active presence in the community throughout, including support for local residents during the difficult period of the pandemic.
Delivery and partnership
BREE Construction, working under the Partner Construction name, was responsible for the construction delivery at The Acorns, building the homes to the standard required for both private sale and the development's affordable element. The relationship between developer and contractor allowed the scheme to advance in measured stages, matching build rates to demand and giving the wider regeneration of Spennymoor a steady, sustainable footing.
By the time the principal phases were complete, The Acorns had added a substantial number of quality homes to the town and demonstrated how a phased, partnership-led approach can bring forward new housing in an established community.
