Final sites unlocked in mayor’s 4000-home drive

A £71 million North East regeneration programme has passed the 4000-home milestone after funding was confirmed for its final three brownfield sites.

North East mayor Kim McGuinness’ Brownfield Housing Fund will provide £566,750 to support developments in Gateshead, North Tyneside and Northumberland, unlocking 38 homes for social rent.

At Derwentwater Court in Gateshead, ten family homes will replace former bedsit accommodation, helping address overcrowding and demand for larger properties.

A further 15 homes will be created at the Marden Residents Association site in North Tyneside, replacing a vacant and deteriorating building, while Netherton Lane in Northumberland will provide 13 properties on long-vacant land.

All three developments will deliver modern, energy-efficient housing designed to reduce bills for residents while contributing to the region’s net zero ambitions.

The latest investment takes the number of homes unlocked through funding allocated by the mayor to more than 4000.

Mayor McGuinness said: “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 – from Bellingham to Benwell, Whitley Bay to Walker, Hebburn to Horden and Sheepfolds to Stobswood.

“I’m determined to keep going, delivering the affordable homes our region needs and deserves.”

More than 620 properties have already been completed at sites including Newbiggin Hall, Commissioners Quay and Lyndon Walk in Blyth, as well as The Esplanade in Whitley Bay.

Further developments are under construction in Walker, Gateshead, New Hartley and Farringdon Row in Sunderland after funding helped make previously unviable brownfield sites suitable for development.

All 38 properties across the final three sites will be available for social rent, supporting the mayor’s wider pledge to increase access to affordable housing.

Bringing previously disused land back into use will also help address housing demand, regenerate neighbourhoods and support local jobs during construction.

The wider Brownfield Housing Fund provides upfront investment to unlock challenging sites where development may otherwise be financially unviable.

Mayor McGuinness added: “Everyone in the North East deserves a safe, secure, and genuinely affordable place to call home – but for too many people, that simply isn’t the reality today.

“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.”

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