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6th March 2007
SEVEN STYLISH AFFORDABLE HOMES FOR SLALEY

Work is continuing on Two Castles Housing Association’s flagship development to provide new much-needed, high quality, affordable homes in rural Tynedale.

The association is developing seven two and three bedroom homes in Slaley village, Northumberland. Work began on site in December 2006 and the homes are expected to be occupied in September 2007.

Three two bedroom bungalows and two three bedroom homes will be made available for low cost rent, and one three bedroom home and one two bedroom bungalow will for sale under a shared ownership scheme.

Slaley is a small village south of Hexham, but its idyllic landscapes and easy commuting distance to Newcastle, has resulted in it becoming a victim of its own success.

Homebuyers are now attracted to the village from far and wide, with house prices and demand for property having risen considerably in recent years - making it more difficult for locals to get onto the housing ladder and for key workers to find suitable and affordable accommodation.

John Hay, development director at Two Castles, said: “We are extremely excited about this flagship development, and are delighted that work is progressing well.

“Affordable housing for locals and for key workers like nurses and teachers has become a big issue across the North. This has been a problem in rural areas like the Lake District National Park for a number of years, but it is increasingly becoming an issue of particular concern in rural areas like Tynedale and the Northumberland National Park.

“The Slaley homes are part of a wider, ambitious development programme by Two Castles which represents our continued commitment to supporting the regeneration and sustainability of our villages, towns and cities across the whole of the North.”

The need for homes in Slaley was identified in the village’s parish plan and the parish council then went on to work with a local landowner to identify a piece of land that could be used.

Linda Norris, chair of Slaley Parish Council, said:  “The need for affordable housing in Slaley was identified in the parish plan which we adopted in January 2004.

“The problem for the council was that there was no site available, all sites within the village having been built on and the village being situated within the green belt.  

“However local farmer Adam Scott, recognising the importance of having affordable housing, agreed to release agricultural land for this purpose. The parish council remain deeply grateful to Adam for this gesture and are looking forward to seeing the scheme coming to fruition after all the hard work that has gone into making it happen.”

Cllr Edward Heslop, special adviser for housing at Tynedale Council, added: “Enabling the provision of more affordable housing in the district is a key objective for the council. We cannot underestimate the value of a project such as this which has come directly from the community, at grass roots level, through the parish council and the parish plan. We are extremely pleased to have been able to add support to the development this scheme which is a testament to community drive and effective partnership working.”

The Housing Corporation awarded £470,799 to the Spirit partnership towards the total project costs. The Spirit Partnership is a collaboration of six Northern housing associations; Erimus Housing, Three Rivers Housing Group, Two Castles Housing Association, Tees Valley Housing Group, Housing Hartlepool and Coast and Country Housing.

The group aims to build better quality affordable homes more effectively and efficiently, at less cost to the public purse.

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