Member Article

Hexham £3.4m affordable homes development welcomes first residents

A new £3.4m housing development in Hexham which has saw the creation of 26 affordable homes is to welcome its first residents.

Anick View, situated on Corbridge Road on the eastern side of Hexham, has been developed by Two Castles Housing Association and Esh Property Services under the Hadrian Development Solutions Partnership.

The development comprise seven two-bedroom houses, six two-bedroom bungalows, nine three-bedroom houses and four one-bedroom flats, and have all been let to local people with an existing connection to the town and its surrounding area.

Commenting on the new development, Rob Brittain, property services director at Two Castles Housing Association, said: “We’re pleased to see all of our homes in Anick View ready for their first residents.

“The combination of high private rental costs and above average levels of second home ownership means there is a real shortage of affordable homes in Hexham and across Northumberland. Our new homes will go some way to addressing this shortfall.

“Two Castles is committed to building sustainable communities and our high quality, affordable homes across Northumberland are vital to helping local families remain in their community and ensuring the sustainability of rural life.

“Looking ahead, we will continue to work closely with our partners to deliver well-designed affordable homes in the communities that need it most.”

With around 4,200 people having been assessed by Northumberland County Council as having some form of housing need, the county needs 382 new affordable houses each year to 2018 in order to address the backlog.

Councillor Allan Hepple, cabinet member responsible for housing at Northumberland County Council, believes schemes such as Anick View are crucial to making up this shortfall.

He said: “It is good to see these high quality new homes becoming ready for their new residents – and I hope people will enjoy living there. The council has been pleased to support the development of Anick View, with more affordable housing for those in need an important priority.”

Two Castles and Esh Property Services are also combining on 16 new affordable homes in Stocksfield where work is due to begin soon.