Disappointment at lack of affordable homes on site of former police houses in Northumberland
Councillors have expressed disappointment at a lack of provision for affordable homes at a key Northumberland town centre site.
Anvil Homes has purchased 12 houses, formerly used by Northumbria Police for officers, and intends to redevelop the site into new housing.
There had previously been hopes that the site would be used for affordable housing. However, Anvil purchased the site from the police at market value and has no obligation to do so.
The company insist that the development will be a boost to Hexham. The properties have stood empty for almost a decade.
Cllr Derek Kennedy, who represents the Hexham West ward, said: “For an eight-year period those houses were just left to go to rack and ruin.
“It is ultimately up to the police to make their decisions and the have gone for the highest value they could. It is disappointing that there is no social housing, but it is not unsurprising.
“I have to say I am glad they are going to be part of the housing stock again, because it was awful that they were just sitting there.
“I do have to register my disappointment that they are not going to be social or affordable housing, but from another point of view we have big hopes for the old Hexham Middle School site.
“That’s our holy grail of affordable housing – it’s a massive site and it is owned by the county council, so it’s entirely up to the council. Our fingers are crossed for that.”
Cllr Suzanne Fairless Aitken, who represents the Hexham East ward, added: “I am really disappointed, but I am pleased that they’re being developed because they were just sitting there.
“An affordable element should be on every housing development and I think this was a missed opportunity for Hexham West, which has very little affordable housing – there’s hardly any. It’s just sad it hasn’t happened.”
Responding to the councillors’ comments, a spokesman for Anvil Homes said: “We fully recognise the need for more affordable housing in Hexham and understand why this is an important issue for local residents and councillors.
“However, this particular development involves the refurbishment and extension of 12 former police houses that were purchased through a competitive open market sale by the Police Authority. As a public body, the Police Authority was required to achieve best consideration for taxpayers, and the site was acquired at full market value.
“As a result, there was no planning policy requirement or funding mechanism that would have enabled affordable housing to be delivered as part of this scheme. Our investment is bringing back into use a site that had stood vacant for almost a decade, transforming the existing properties into high-quality, energy-efficient family homes through a significant programme of regeneration.
“While we appreciate the wider debate around housing affordability, we believe returning these long-empty homes to productive residential use represents a positive investment in Hexham and its housing stock.”