Residents are moving into 25 new affordable homes which have been delivered by Esh Construction on brownfield land close to Fossway in Byker, Newcastle.
Located on Roman Avenue, close to the route of Hadrian’s Wall, the site has been vacant for some time, however a £4 million land led development between Esh Construction and Karbon Homes has brought it back into use.
Supported with funding from Homes England, the scheme provides 17 houses, with a mix of semi-detached and terraced properties, and eight flats. There are two blocks of flats – each block being two-storeys – which house four units. Arranged as Tyneside flats, each property has their own front door at ground level.
Residents of the Roman Avenue homes benefit from open plan front gardens and 6ft high timber fencing to the back gardens to provide private space. There are 34 parking spaces throughout the development, and a secure bike shed for every home. An electric charging point has been installed which residents with an electric or hybrid vehicle can use.
The new homes will be let at what is known as ‘social rent’ which ensures they will be truly affordable for local residents, well below local market rents.
Michelle Stephenson has just moved into a two-bedroom home with her son. She said: “I love it, it’s really nice. The house is brand new, really beautiful, and so warm. It’s perfect, and lots of light too.”
“It’s a brand new home in an excellent location and is also handy for my son who studies at the Quayside. The car parking is very useful too. The house is really affordable. Normally you see two bed houses with one double bedroom and a single room – but these are both good size bedrooms.”
Laura Devaney, Head of Land and Partnerships at Esh Construction, said: ““We’re really proud that we’ve been able to deliver these new homes on brownfield land that has been easy to integrate into the local area. The development will make a huge difference to local community by providing housing that is always in high demand and provide dozens of families with secure and affordable housing for decades to come.”
“Working in partnership with Karbon Homes, Newcastle City Council and Homes England we have once again made a huge difference to our local communities.”
Zoey Hawthorne, Assistant Director of Development Delivery at Karbon Homes, said: “This has been a great site for us, really well located on the edge of an existing residential area, and close to employment sites, shops and both bus and Metro routes.
“We are glad to be developing social rent homes in Newcastle, to ensure they are as affordable as possible for the long term.”
Paul Shorten, Senior Manager, for Homes England, said: “Homes England is pleased to have been able to work with Karbon Homes to support this former telecoms brownfield site to come forward for much needed social housing in Newcastle. Roman Avenue in Byker is a great example of partners working together to create good quality, well designed new affordable housing for the local community.”
The development has been designed by HMH Architects.
We’re really proud that we’ve been able to deliver these new homes on brownfield land that has been easy to integrate into the local area. The development will make a huge difference to local community by providing housing that is always in high demand and provide dozens of families with secure and affordable housing for decades to come.”
