Blyth council homes to be demolished to make way for affordable housing
Work is underway to demolish over 40 empty council houses in Blyth to free up the land for new affordable housing for rent.
The targeted flats, garages, and maisonettes have been standing empty for many years.
The properties, located at Windmill Grove, had communal access and no outdoor space and there was very little demand for them.
Work started in early August and is over halfway through. The material from the old properties is being taken to a recycling yard where it is crushed and will then be reused as aggregate in the construction trade.
The council is now exploring options to provide new, energy efficient affordable housing for rent, on the site in the future.
Northumberland County Councillor Colin Horncastle Cabinet Member with responsibility for Housing said: “We’ve been working extremely hard to provide more affordable housing, of the right type in the right place across the county.
“Our ambition for the site is to build new, affordable, energy efficient homes in a variety of styles and sizes that we know local people want and we are currently exploring funding options to try and make this happen.”
Cowpen Ward Councillor Rick Baker said: “I am looking forward to the new development at Windmill Grove in Cowpen.
"It is my sincerest wish for there to be more affordable and council housing, for Blyth and Northumbrian residents in sizes that reflect local need."
The clearance work is being carried out with £1.2 m support from the Government's Brownfield Housing Fund which supports remedial work to prepare sites for future affordable housing development.