Newcastle Great Park welcomes new homes

The Lord Mayor of Newcastle led the celebrations to mark the completion of 82 new affordable homes as part of the first phase of an ambitious housing scheme.

The £19 million scheme, set to feature 160 affordable homes, is led by the Bernicia Group and Persimmon homes, with support from Newcastle City Council and the Homes & Communities Agency (HCA).

The Mayor, Councillor Brenda Hindmarsh, unveiled a plaque to officially open Newcastle Great Park’s new Extra Care scheme, which provides high quality accommodation for older people, complete with an onsite restaurant and a range of support facilities.

“It was wonderful to unveil this plaque today, to meet with residents and to see them enjoying their new homes,” said Hindmarsh. “Newcastle City Council has worked tirelessly to ensure affordable homes were delivered at Newcastle Great Park.”

The completed development will include a range of two-bedroom flats, plus three-, four- and five-bedroom houses and bungalows. Work is already underway on the project’s second phase, which will provide 24 new affordable homes for rent and low-cost home ownership.

Betty Pilkington, 83, was the first to move into the new extra care scheme, a few months after suffering a stroke: “It’s given me my independence back – now I can go to the restaurant, hairdresser and library on my own again,” she said. “It’s like having my own home again, with my own front door. It was my birthday last week and nine family members came in for a meal, cake and wine.”

The scheme, which is close to the recently opened Brunton First School, has benefited from over £5 million in funding from the Government’s Homes & Communities Agency.

“This scheme will provide real choice in an area where affordable housing options are very limited,” said Anne Mulroy, head of area at the HCA. “Quality affordable homes can help local people who might otherwise have to move to another area to meet their needs.”

Ian Armstrong, Chair of The Bernicia Group, said: “This scheme symbolises what Bernicia is really all about, working with communities and partners, pooling skills and resources to make a real difference to the lives of local people, never has this been more important than today. At Bernicia we are determined to continue to provide high quality accommodation and services to help those in housing need.”

All partners are committed to providing further affordable homes as well as a new town centre as the Great Park scheme continues to take shape.