00:0016 new homes are set to be built on Brownfield land at Laneacost Park in Cramlington after
00:07Northumberland County Council's Cabinet approved the development. The scheme will provide a mix
00:12of two and four bedroom houses alongside one and two bedroom apartments but what makes this
00:17development different is the rent. While affordable housing is usually set around 80% of market rent
00:23these properties will be offered at just 70%. That's intended to make them cheaper for tenants
00:29with the council describing the price as a real bargain. The development will cost 4.2 million
00:34pounds. Funding will come from the county council, developer contributions through the planning
00:39system and the Brownfield housing fund. That fund is part of North East Mayor Kim McGuinness's
00:45commitment to unlocking more social and affordable homes across the region. The site sits in the
00:52middle of the Laneacost Park estate replacing an older apartment block dating back several decades.
00:57The new properties are expected to include energy saving features such as air source heat pumps,
01:03solar panels and electric vehicle charging points. The council's housing portfolio holder,
01:09Colin Horncastle, says the mix of properties reflects local demand. A neighbourhood plan and
01:14housing needs assessment identified demand for both larger family homes and smaller flats,
01:20particularly for younger residents. Figures show that 2,044 homes were delivered across Northumberland
01:26between 2017 and the end of 2025.
01:29You
