£3.5M new family homes

Benwell £3.5M homes boost     

Families are set to be some of the first to benefit from a new multi-million affordable housing development in Benwell, Newcastle.

Thirty four much-needed two, three and four bedroom family homes have been built at Angel View, Atherton Drive on a site previously occupied by three storey flats and bedsits.

The scheme was developed by affordable housing provider Affinity Sutton, which currently manages more than 200 homes in Newcastle, in partnership with Newcastle City Council and the Homes and Communities Agency which contributed £1.1M towards the scheme.  Affinity Sutton contributed £1.8M towards the development.

One of the first to move in was Kath Appleby, husband David and their four children Daniel, 15, Thomas, 14, Sam, 11 and Olivia, three who collected the keys to their new four bedroom home earlier this month.

She said:  “I love it here – there is just so much space.  I have an extra bedroom, a big bathroom, a decent sized back garden and it has all made such a big difference to our way of life.  We are just so much more relaxed.”

All of the homes meet the Government’s national Code for Sustainable Homes Level three and have been designed to be ecologically sound with low carbon emissions and high levels of insulation.  They also feature solar-thermal water heating and residents are encouraged to compost and undertake other environmentally-friendly activities.

Mrs Appleby praised the eco features and said:  “I really like that my new home is environmentally friendly.  We are a growing family and I feel it is important to teach my children about how to look after the environment.”

The mum-of-four joined local dignitaries including Councillor David Faulkner, Deputy Leader of Newcastle City Council and the Sheriff and Deputy Lord Mayor Councillor Geoff O’Brien in planting a tree to celebrate the completion of the new green homes.

David Slater, Executive Director of Environment and Regeneration for Newcastle City Council, said: “The delivery of affordable housing for families is a key priority for the city and this scheme will support the work we are doing to improve housing quality and choice for the city’s residents.”

The scheme is the latest in a series of projects supported by the Homes and Communities Agency in the West End of Newcastle. It follows the recent announcement of a £9.8 million investment in preparing land at Scotswood for development of future homes, and a £1.7 grant to support a pioneering green heating scheme at nearby Riverside Dene.

“This is a great example of our affordable housing programme making a real difference in people’s lives,” said Brian Peel, Head of Area for the Homes and Communities Agency. “Quality family homes will be a real benefit for local families as well as another step forward for the regeneration of the West End.”

Phil Griffiths, Regional Development Director for affordable homes developer Affinity Sutton, said:  “We are delighted to be working with Newcastle City Council and the Homes and Communities Agency in delivering affordable well-designed homes for local families.”

The scheme was built by contractor Rok Building Ltd, employers agent Hall and Partners and architect Anthony Watson Chartered Architects.