£6 million boost for affordable housing in Northumberland

Northumberland County Council has secured over £6 million from the government’s Brownfield Housing Fund to deliver new affordable homes on redundant and underused sites.

The funding — totalling £6.075 million — represents more than a quarter of the allocation for the North East Combined Authority region. It will support five schemes in Ashington, Cramlington, Blyth, Stobswood and Bedlington.

If planning permission is granted, the projects will deliver 127 affordable homes, increasing housing choice for local residents. The investment forms part of the council’s wider programme, which aims to complete more than 3,000 affordable homes for rent or sale between 2017 and the end of 2025.

Northumberland County Councillor Colin Horncastle, Cabinet Member for Housing, said: "We’re delivering pockets of affordable housing where it is needed most — from as far north as Berwick down to Blyth in the south and the rural communities in between — but always guided by our communities to achieve the right type of housing, in the right place at the right price".

Kerry Booth, Chief Executive of the Rural Services Network, said: "Access to genuinely affordable homes is essential if rural communities are to thrive. Developments like these, which respond to local needs, are exactly the kind of investment rural areas need. We continue to call for long-term, targeted funding to ensure every rural community can offer the right homes, in the right places, for people at all stages of life".

If you work in housing or planning, or simply care about ensuring everyone has access to the right home in the right place, don’t miss our Rural Affordable Housing and Planning session at the National Rural Conference on Tuesday 16 September, 10:00–12:00.

Conference sessions are open to eligible RSN members and bookings are now live here.