Work has started to build nine bungalows at New Hartley near Seaton Delaval, which will be owned by Northumberland County Council and rented out at an affordable rate to local people in housing need.   
 

The scheme is a partnership between Northumberland County Council who are financing the building work and Advance Northumberland who own the land and are leading the construction. 
 

The two-bedroomed bungalows are being built on a site off Lysdon Avenue and will be made available to residents who require accessible ground floor accommodation. 
 

Once complete, the properties will be listed on Northumberland Homefinder – http://www.northumberlandhomefinder.org.uk    where people can bid to live in one.  
 

The bungalows have been specifically designed to allow residents to remain in their homes for as long as possible, should their physical or mental health begin to deteriorate. 
 

There will be level access to the front of the bungalows with adaptations including wider doorways for wheelchair access and suitable turning circles for wheelchair users in necessary areas.  
 

The eco-friendly bungalows will also have air source heat pumps and thermal efficiencies to create homes with the best energy performance ratings and keep energy bills low. 
 

Northumberland County Councillor Colin Horncastle, Cabinet Member with responsibility for Housing said: 

“Providing more quality, affordable homes across the county in areas of identified housing need, continues to be one of the county council’s top priorities. 
 

“Between 2017 and the end of 2025, more than 3,000 affordable homes to rent or buy are projected to complete in communities right across the county. 
 

“Northumberland has a growing elderly population with changing housing needs. We know there are residents in and around New Hartley who are looking to down-size from larger properties but who want to stay in the village and live independently, close to their neighbours, family and friends. These new affordable bungalows will help to fill a specific need for this area, while freeing up larger accommodation for families in need.” 

Local Ward Councillor Stephen Flower added: 

“This small development will breathe new life into a vacant site and bring quality, energy-efficient bungalows to the community which I am sure will be particularly welcomed by the elderly.” 

 

Steven Harrison, CEO at Advance Northumberland, said: “We’re delighted to be delivering this high-quality bungalow development in partnership with Northumberland County Council. As a locally owned development company, we are committed to supporting communities by creating homes that are not only affordable but also meet the specific needs of residents. This scheme will provide accessible, energy-efficient homes that enable people to live independently for longer, while also making the best use of a previously under utilised site in New Hartley.” 

 

Anyone interested in renting one of these properties will need to join Northumberland Homefinder – http://www.northumberlandhomefinder.org.uk to apply.  Once the properties are built, they will be added to the Homefinder register.  
 

Under the Homefinder allocation system, you must be registered with the site before you are able to bid on any available properties. Once registered each applicant is assessed on their housing need and given a priority banding. This banding is then used to prioritise any bid on a property. 
 

The Homefinder website will also show all homes available for letting.