New lease of life for Alnwick housing development

The Maltings, on the western outskirts of the town centre on Dispensary Street, has been left empty and half–built after the scheme stalled during the credit crunch in 2008. And with no market interest, the site has deteriorated over the years.

Ascent Homes, the house-building arm of Arch - the development company fully owned by Northumberland County Council, will complete this development of 37 luxury apartments with car parking - aligning with the original scheme in what were originally the Alnwick Brewery and Maltings.

The first priority will be to carry out essential repairs to make the buildings safe and watertight as the building work has fallen into a dilapidated state – this will include demolishing a small building on the site as it is currently unsafe.

The site is located opposite Morrisons with direct footpath access to the town centre and Market Place within an area that has been transformed with nearby developments of residential and retail space.

In the time since the original planning approval, Alnwick has grown significantly with commercial development schemes to the southern access to the town, including the opening of Homebase, Argos and Sainsbury's, and the success of the Lionheart Enterprise Park and Cawledge Business Park.

Coun Grant Davey, leader of Northumberland County Council, said: "The former Alnwick Brewery and Maltings are an important part of Northumberland’s history and we are delighted that this run-down development in a prominent town-centre location can now be transformed and finally completed. This is a fantastic result which will create job opportunities for local people, and housing where there is a need for good-quality, town-centre homes bringing all-round benefits to this top tourist market town”.

The project is being described as 'a stunning contemporary development which will become a landmark building of luxury apartments' with the show home due to open in autumn this year.

Coun Dave Ledger, Arch chairman and deputy leader of Northumberland County Council, said: “We’re really excited to transform and complete this truly unique property in Alnwick. The Maltings will be a fantastic development in a stunning town-centre location, which cannot fail to impress. We are working hard to develop the highest-quality specifications and bring quality town-centre living in this historic building."

To register your interest or to find out more, visit www.ascent-homes.co.uk or call 01670 528403.