Affordable homes for social rent will form the majority of the first phase of Burtree Garden Village after funding was secured for the scheme on the outskirts of Darlington. Developer Hellens Residential received grant funding from Homes England through the Social and Affordable Homes Programme to deliver 122 affordable properties, with about 60 per cent available for social rent and the remaining 40 per cent offered through a rent-to-buy scheme. Hellens Residential said the funding would allow it to deliver affordable homes beyond the number required through the planning system. Kate Hellens, managing director of Hellens Residential, said: "This funding is an important step in bringing forward affordable homes at Burtree Garden Village early in the life of the new community. These homes will be delivered to the same design standards as the wider village and will add affordable housing over and above what is required through the planning process."