New affordable homes built on former Northumberland colliery site

Ascent Homes has completed the first set of affordable homes for housing association Bernicia in Ellington.
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The Wayside Point scheme aims to regenerate part of the former Ellington Colliery site into 99 family houses and bungalows across its first phase.

It is on the site of the last operational deep mine in the North East which closed in 2005.

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Ascent Homes acquired the site from Harworth Estates in 2017, delivering the first new housing estate of this scale in Ellington for many years.

Bernicia chief executive John Johnston, Cllr John Riddle, cabinet member for community services at Northumberland County Council and Ken Dunbar, managing director at Advance Northumberland at the new affordable homes Wayside Point, Ellington.Bernicia chief executive John Johnston, Cllr John Riddle, cabinet member for community services at Northumberland County Council and Ken Dunbar, managing director at Advance Northumberland at the new affordable homes Wayside Point, Ellington.
Bernicia chief executive John Johnston, Cllr John Riddle, cabinet member for community services at Northumberland County Council and Ken Dunbar, managing director at Advance Northumberland at the new affordable homes Wayside Point, Ellington.

The development, which is being constructed by Ascent Home’s in-house construction team for Bernicia, will deliver 28 affordable rent homes, comprising nine two bedroom bungalows, 12 two bedroom houses and seven three bedroom houses.

Cllr Richard Wearmouth, chairman of Advance Northumberland, said: “Our Ascent Homes team have worked in partnership with Bernicia from the inception of this project to deliver high quality affordable homes in a remarkably short period of time.

"In doing so we have supported local house-building jobs and furthered the regeneration of this ex-coalfield site.”

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He added: “The need to provide high quality housing in rural areas is ever present and I’m delighted that by working together we can provide a positive contribution towards meeting the county’s needs.

"This sets a real blueprint for future work together on additional schemes around Northumberland.”

Bernicia chief executive John Johnston, said: “These new homes will help meet the demand for quality new build properties, at an affordable rent, in a popular area with great transport links across Northumberland and to Newcastle.

“The site itself is hugely important in the industrial history of Northumberland and these homes play an important role in bold regeneration plans by providing high quality accommodation for future generations.”

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The contract to provide Bernicia with these finished homes commenced in autumn last year and will be completed by Christmas, ensuring properties for affordable rent can be sought in this area from the New Year.

The development at Wayside Point also benefits from the construction of a Co-op food store which will be built adjacent to the site and which should open in early 2021.

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