Karbon completes 24-home Byker scheme

A housing provider has completed a new affordable homes development designed to support sustainable living and growing community demand in Newcastle.

Karbon Homes has officially opened a scheme of 24 new homes in Byker with a community event attended by Mary Glindon MP, alongside representatives from Newcastle City Council, Homes England and lead contractor NB Clark.

Built off Bolam Street, the development includes a mix of level-access bungalows, family homes and Tyneside flats aimed at providing affordable housing options for local residents.

The homes have been designed to high energy efficiency standards and include air source heat pumps and solar panels to help reduce household energy costs.

Mrs Glindon said: “The new homes look beautiful and it’s great to be here to meet and celebrate with the new residents who are benefiting from them. 

“In a time where the cost of living is leaving lots of people in financial uncertainty, it’s great that these homes are highly energy efficient, helping keep the bills down. 

“Karbon Homes puts residents at the heart of what it does, designing a development that helps meet the need for the area, particularly the offer of level access bungalows. 

“I hope to see more, much-needed developments like this one to come in the Byker area.” 

Michelle Bell, Karbon’s assistant director of the Byker community, added: “It’s been great to come together with our residents and partners to celebrate the completion of these new homes. 

“Bringing much-needed new affordable homes to the estate is something our customers have told us is important to them. 

“These new homes at Bolam Street, which include 12 level-access bungalows which are in incredibly high demand in this area, are the first new homes that have been built on the Byker estate in 43 years. 

“This is the first of four sites in and around the estate which we hope to develop to provide more affordable homes like these.” 

New resident Janice said the move into one of the new bungalows had transformed her day-to-day life after mobility issues and multiple knee surgeries had left her struggling to manage the stairs in her previous upstairs flat nearby.

She added: “Bungalows are pretty much impossible to find in this area. 

“So, to see Karbon building these on my doorstep for social rent, it was ideal. 

“When I got the call from the housing officer at Karbon to say I had got one of them, I couldn’t believe it. 

“It feels amazing to come home to your own front door and feel genuinely safe and secure coming and going.  

“I’m really happy with the house but the best bit has to be having my own garden. 

“The joy of being able to hang your washing out and sit with a cup of tea and soak up the sun. 

“This is my forever home now, definitely. 

“Moving in has changed everything for the better; I couldn’t be happier.” 

The project has been part-funded by Homes England through Karbon’s Strategic Partnership with the Government housing agency, which will support the delivery of more than 2300 affordable homes across the North East and Yorkshire by 2028.

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