AN AWARD-WINNING housebuilder’s “innovative” partnership is paying off – with the opening of the showhome at a £14m development.

For over 20 years, Homes by Carlton has built hi-spec homes across the North East of England, and an exclusive regional partnership with Karbon Homes’ Next Level Developments is helping the company reach the next level.

Their latest Joint Venture is the 48-unit Woodberry Park development in the picturesque village of Staindrop, tucked away in the heart of County Durham.

With the site’s showhome now opened, Homes by Carlton is looking at spreading its wings in the year ahead – growth fuelled by increased revenue that has resulted in turnover rising by £10m in just three years.

“Our target is to build 100 new homes per year in the North East, which we are firmly on-track to achieve, and Karbon Homes have been the perfect partner to help us hit it,” said Norman Peterson, Co-Founder and Chairman of Homes by Carlton.

“As Joint Venture partners, they’ve not only helped us to make Woodberry Park a reality by supplying the full funding package for the development, but also our Saxon Vale site, in Sadberge, is being built with their support.

“Work started on Saxon Vale this year and we expect homes to hit the market in 2026. In total, that’s 94 new much-needed homes that not only help the Government hit its targets for new-builds but also provides buyers with more choice in an area where demand for high-quality homes outstrips supply.”

The partnership has also helped Homes by Carlton grow internally this year, with several key hires including Head of Construction Dan Holyoak, Technical Director Elliott Martindale and Lee Bradford, who has been promoted from Sales Executive to Sales Manager, to head-up an expanded sales team.

And Homes by Carlton’s team is set to expand even further. By mid-2027, the County Durham-based company is aiming to recruit up to 20 new staff as it looks to take its ‘luxury as standard’ brand of housing further afield.

“Looking into 2026, the aim is to continue to acquire new sites in sought-after locations, with the realistic goal of expanding into Yorkshire, which for the business, is a major milestone,” added Emma Worth, Development Manager.

“Work will progress on our largest development to date at Middleton St George, while we also expect our sites at Staindrop and Witton Gilbert to be nearing completion.

“These really are exciting times within the business, and it’s excellent to be supported as we scale by an organisation like Karbon Homes’ Next Level Developments who understand that funding is critical for SME housebuilders like ourselves, as they share our values and a desire to build better homes and better communities.”

And Sarah Robson, Executive Director of Development at Karbon Homes, added: “Through Next Level Developments, Karbon Homes’ Joint Venture funding arm, we are partnering with regional housebuilders in the development of much-needed new homes. The returns from these projects support Karbon Homes’ continued investment in our affordable homes programme, and we’re delighted to be acquiring 10 homes under affordable tenures at Woodberry Park.

“It’s fantastic to see the showhome now open at the development and the first residents settling into their new homes. This is a great milestone and a clear demonstration of what can be achieved through innovative partnerships like this one.

“Our funding structure with Homes by Carlton is a strong example of how collaboration can empower high-quality regional housebuilders to bring forward much-needed, thoughtfully-designed homes across the North East.” For more information, please visit https://www.homesbycarlton.com/.