Karbon completes 20-home Forest Hall scheme

A North East housing provider has completed 20 affordable homes aimed at helping people take their first steps onto the property ladder.

Karbon Homes has delivered the new properties in Forest Hall, North Tyneside, on the site of the former Fusilier pub.

The development comprises 12 three-bedroom houses and eight two-bedroom apartments, all available through the Rent to Buy scheme.

Under the initiative, rents are set at 20 per cent below the average market rate for five years, giving residents the opportunity to save towards a deposit before buying their home.

All 20 properties have achieved an EPC A energy efficiency rating and feature air source heat pumps, solar panels and electric vehicle charging points.

Zoey Hawthorne, group director of development at Karbon Homes, said: “It’s fantastic to see the development complete and new residents moved in.

“Hearing from new residents clearly shows the difference schemes like Rent to Buy can make to people. 

“They are excited to have found a home that enables them to take that important step on the property ladder and their stories fuel our ambitions to provide more affordable schemes like this one across the North East and Yorkshire.”

The development was supported through Karbon’s strategic partnership with Homes England under the Affordable Homes Programme 2021-26.

The partnership secured £184 million to support the delivery of 2327 affordable homes across the North East and Yorkshire by 2028.

Karbon has also secured strategic partnership status for Homes England’s Social and Affordable Homes Programme 2026-36.

Working alongside believe housing, Bernicia, Durham Aged Miners Homes Association and Livin, it will share £350 million of funding to deliver a further 2533 homes across the region.

Councillor John Harrison, cabinet member for Housing at North Tyneside Council, added: “It is great to see these high-quality new homes completed in Forest Hall, providing local people with an affordable route into home ownership. 

“Schemes such as Rent to Buy help address one of the biggest challenges facing many residents by giving them the opportunity to save for a deposit while living in a home they can eventually purchase. 

“This development has transformed the former Fusilier public house site, delivering energy-efficient homes that will help residents reduce their living costs while supporting our environmental ambitions. 

“We are committed to increasing the supply of affordable housing across North Tyneside and welcome investment that helps more people access the secure, high-quality homes they need to thrive.”

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