In Amble, Northumberland, the Amble Development Trust (ADT) embarked on a community-led housing scheme. The scheme aimed to retain affordable housing for the local community. The criteria for tenancy include either working in the town or having some family relationship to Amble.
A community-led housing offer is even more important now than ever. Amble was ‘discovered’ during the Covid-19 pandemic, as both a tourist destination, and a place with somewhat cheaper housing compared to other parts of the UK. Visitors were purchasing properties at inflated prices, taking more properties out of the reach of local residents and young people.
While house prices have settled down, they remain at high levels in comparison to local wages, so the need for community-led housing is still prevalent.
To fund the community-led housing development, Section 106 funding as part of the planning process was approved by the former Alnwick District Council for use in improvements to Amble Welfare.
Land was transferred to ADT along with Section 106 funds when development commenced. A building company was bought out several times, and eventually purchased by Persimmon.
ADT met Persimmon to discuss developing off-site affordable housing in a former Co-op building owned by ADT. Northumberland County Council's (NCC) planning and legal department agreed due to not having a current housing policy and local plan.
Section 106 funds then increased which allowed for the development of four affordable housing units (two one-bed and two two-bed properties) alongside additional works to improve welfare in the town.
The housing scheme:
has been fully tenanted from day one and has a waiting list of interested tenants.
ADT:
is considered a good landlord by the local community.
used local tradespeople who took pride in the work they carried out, on time and within budget.
Working through the various NCC departments was a challenge to ensure everyone understood how the project was going to work. Staff leaving also caused delays and confusion.
Ensuring the housing developer kept to their payment schedule, to allow NCC to release payment to ADT.
All was achieved but it took longer than anticipated.
Northumberland County Council (various departments)
Persimmon Housing Developers
Amble Development Trust
There is a continued need for affordable housing in the town, which ADT would like to provide. However NCC now has a Local Plan which includes its housing policy. There are now requirements that ADT would not meet unless it became a registered housing provider and NCC policy prefers existing registered providers.
However, there are numerous consultations happening, which discuss how locally-based organisations with a proven track record of delivery housing could be considered for special dispensation. Northumberland Estates has used this on other small developments.
During consultations, other organisations similar to ADT have made statements that the authority needs to recognise the benefits community housing and delivery can bring.
"We retain the housing for local people at affordable rents that match local salaries. All rental income is put back into the local community through ADT projects, that continue the regeneration of the town and bring community benefit. By securing Section 106 funds and working with local businesses we have been able to provide four good quality affordable housing units that bring great benefits at no cost to the local community."
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