A ‘brownfield’ site in Northumberland is one of the three final plots of land to be used to provide new social housing.
The vacant site in Netherton Lane, Bedlington, has been earmarked for 13 new homes – one of the last sites to be revamped in North East Mayor Kim McGuinness’ £71m Brownfield Housing Fund.
The homes on the site will be run by the Bernicia Group housing association and the development supported by £265,000 from the Mayoral Authority.
Along with sites in Marden in North Tyneside and Gateshead the developments will provide 38 new homes for social rent – directly supporting the Mayor’s pledge to increase access to affordable housing in the North East..
Together, the £566,750 investment in these final schemes will transform long-standing brownfield sites and bring the total number of homes unlocked through the fund to over 4,000 – with more than 620 already completed.
These include sites at Lyndon Walk in Blyth; Bellingham Mart, Moorside in Newbiggin; Ellington Colliery, New Hartley, Stobswood Brickworks, Windmill Grove, Blyth; and the former Coulson Park School land in Ashington.
Th Mayor said: “Everyone in the North East deserves a safe, secure, and genuinely affordable place to call home.
“That’s why I’ve made it a priority to build more affordable homes, so families aren’t priced out of their communities and can put down roots close to jobs, schools and the people they care about.”
All three of the new schemes aim to deliver modern, energy-efficient homes, helping reduce bills for residents while supporting the region’s net zero ambitions.
The Mayor added: “Through our Brownfield Housing Fund, we’ve now unlocked thousands of new homes across the North East, with sites in each of our seven local authority areas.
“I’m determined to keep going, delivering the affordable homes our region needs and deserves.”
The new Bedlington site is the thirteenth to be announced in Northumberland.
By prioritising social rent on these final sites, the fund is aimed at helping to address significant and growing demand for affordable housing in the region.
The Mayor says that, as work progresses to build the homes, these developments will also support jobs and improve local environments.