The first tenants are enjoying life in their new homes as a £13m Bernicia housing scheme nears completion in Berwick.
The 56 properties at Seton Hall near the town centre are helping tackle an urgent need from local people for quality new affordable homes in the Northumberland market town.
People with a local connection to Berwick are being prioritised for the mix of two, three and four bedroom houses and two and three bedroom bungalows – for rent or shared ownership.
Mother of five Michelle Collin, 38, is enjoying the space of her new four-bedroom home with her family, moving from the cramped conditions of their previous two-bedroom house in Berwick’s Newfields estate.
“It was totally overcrowded in our old home, it was chaos and we were all living on top of each other,” said Michelle, whose five boys are aged 16, 14, 13, six and two.
She bid for her home through the Northumberland Homefinder choice based lettings website and was later told by Bernicia housing officer Kyra Thompson that she was being offered the rental property.
“I felt like I had won the lottery!,” said Michelle. “It’s just amazing, everyone in the family is a lot happier already.
“My Dad came around and couldn’t get over the size of the kitchen. It’s even better than I thought it would be, it’s central, we’re just over the bridge to the town centre and Tesco’s is just up the road. The young ones absolutely love it here.”
Rents for the Seton Hall properties are at social rent levels which are significantly below that of private sector rents in the local area.
Mum of two boys Danielle Wyper, 33, was made homeless from her previous property in Berwick and is expecting a new baby in the next few weeks.
“There’s not many homes available in Berwick, it’s been difficult and private lets are expensive to say the least,” said Danielle.
“I was so relieved when Kyra told me, I thought it would be difficult to get somewhere in Berwick so I was over the moon. Getting this house means less pressure and it’s far more sustainable for myself and the boys.”
Jeff Boyd, Bernicia Development Director, said: “It’s hugely rewarding for all our team to see Michelle and Danielle moving into their new homes with their families, and learning about the positive impact this is having on their lives.
“The houses are being built to meet local demand – from people taking their first steps onto the housing ladder, through to young couples, families and older people needing a high-quality, energy efficient affordable home to rent.
“Bernicia’s investment in the scheme includes funding from Homes England and from Northumberland County Council, and demonstrates our commitment to Berwick through the first affordable new housing delivered in the town for a decade.”
The next phase of properties to rent and for shared ownership at Seton Hall, will go live in the New Year.
The rental properties will be advertised through Northumberland Homefinder – Northumberland County Council’s housing allocation service. People interested in a home should register here to be informed when properties are made available.
To register interest in a shared ownership home at the new Berwick development, please drop a line to Bernicia’s sales team sales@bernicia.com
