Vistry Sells Final 57 Affordable Homes at Bishops Park with Homes England Support
In a significant milestone for affordable housing development in the northeast of England, housing provider believe housing has successfully acquired the final 57 homes at Vistry’s Bishops Park site in Bishop Auckland. This achievement was made possible through the Government’s Interim Grant Funding programme, administered by Homes England and announced in the Autumn Statement, underscoring the crucial role of targeted public investment in unlocking housing delivery.
The transaction marks the concluding chapter in a development journey that began more than a decade ago. Bishops Park first received planning permission in 2012 for a total of 500 new homes. At the time, the site was under different ownership, and despite the initial approval, little tangible progress was made for several years. The scheme appeared stalled—an all-too-common challenge for large-scale housing projects facing economic uncertainty, infrastructure constraints, and funding shortfalls.
Unlocking a Stalled Development
It was Homes England’s funding intervention that ultimately breathed new life into the Bishops Park scheme. With financial support to accelerate housing delivery, Vistry was able to step in and begin unlocking the site’s potential.
The first breakthrough came in 2018, when Vistry—working in partnership with Riverside, another major affordable housing provider—acquired 99 of the 500 planned homes. This initial phase represented a significant step forward, converting what had been years of stagnation into visible construction activity.
The collaboration between Vistry and Riverside proved successful, not only in terms of delivering completed homes but also in establishing a viable partnership model for mixed-tenure communities. By combining affordable housing provision with market-sale properties, the development could meet a broad spectrum of housing needs, appealing to first-time buyers, families, and those requiring social rent or shared ownership options.
Scaling Up the Delivery with believe housing
Encouraged by the success of the early phase, Vistry expanded its ambitions for Bishops Park. With further support from Homes England, the company acquired the remaining 401 homes in the scheme. This time, the delivery partnership shifted, with believe housing stepping in as the key affordable housing provider.
One of the largest not-for-profit housing associations in the northeast of England, believe housing manages thousands of homes across County Durham and beyond. The organisation is committed to delivering high-quality, affordable homes while also supporting the creation of thriving, sustainable communities.
Under the arrangement, believe housing initially purchased 100 homes outright from Vistry. In addition, the housing provider secured an option to acquire another 100 homes over time—a move designed to give flexibility while responding to evolving housing demand in the area.
Incremental Acquisitions Leading to Completion
In 2023, believe housing exercised part of this option, purchasing 43 more homes at Bishops Park. This acquisition further strengthened the affordable housing provision on site and reinforced the development’s role in meeting the acute need for new homes in the Bishop Auckland area.
Now, with the latest acquisition of the final 57 homes, believe housing has brought its involvement in the Bishops Park project to full fruition. The purchase completes the affordable housing element of the scheme and ensures that the entire development delivers on its original vision of a balanced, mixed-tenure community.
The deal could not have been realised without the Government’s Interim Grant Funding programme. Announced in the Autumn Statement, the scheme provides short-term financial assistance to housing associations and local authorities to accelerate housing delivery, especially in cases where economic conditions or market factors threaten to delay or derail projects.
Partnership and Policy in Action
Sean Egan, Regional Managing Director for Vistry North East, emphasised the importance of strategic collaboration and sustained public funding:
“Bishops Park is a brilliant example of what long-term partnerships can achieve, coupled with critical funding from the Government to unlock housing delivery. By working first with Riverside and then believe housing, and thanks to additional funding from Homes England, we’ve been able to deliver more than 200 affordable homes at Bishops Park, as well as introducing homes to rent or buy on the open market, providing a wide range of housing choice to local people.”
This dual approach—delivering both affordable housing and market-sale properties—has been a central factor in Bishops Park’s success. By integrating different tenures, the development fosters social diversity, stabilises local demand, and helps avoid the segregation sometimes associated with purely affordable housing estates.
Sustainable, Energy-Efficient Homes for the Community
For believe housing, the acquisition is about more than just numbers—it’s about delivering lasting value for residents and the wider community. Kate Abson, Director of Assets and Development at believe housing, highlighted the broader impact:
“It’s fantastic to see Bishops Park progressing, and we are pleased to be working with Vistry to deliver 200 high-quality, energy-efficient homes for social rent and affordable home ownership. By taking on this number of homes, we’re helping to meet housing demand and creating opportunities for people to live in healthy, sustainable homes within a mixed and vibrant community.”
Energy efficiency has been a growing priority in affordable housing delivery, particularly in the face of rising energy costs and climate change imperatives. By ensuring that new homes meet modern sustainability standards, believe housing is not only reducing environmental impact but also helping future residents manage household running costs.
A Broader Impact on Bishop Auckland
Bishops Park represents more than a single housing development—it’s a catalyst for wider regeneration in Bishop Auckland. New housing attracts new residents, which in turn supports local shops, schools, and public services. Infrastructure improvements associated with the scheme, such as upgraded roads and public spaces, enhance the appeal of the wider area.
Moreover, the presence of both affordable and market-sale homes creates a balanced community profile, which can help attract investment and foster long-term neighbourhood stability.
