Northumberland residents told not to panic over housing figures

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 15 Oct, 09:32 · Archive

Northumberland has published potential numbers of new houses each settlement could accommodate, but officials say only a small proportion will be built.

Northumberland residents have been urged to remain calm after an assessment published the potential number of new houses each settlement could theoretically accommodate. The figures came from a Housing and Economic Land Availability Assessment, which followed a 'call for sites' where developers proposed potential building sites for the council's new local plan.

Cramlington could theoretically have more than 12,000 new homes if all 34 proposed sites were fully developed, while Hexham could have 2,615 homes across 36 sites. However, council officials emphasised that these are theoretical maximums and not what the council intends to approve.

Deputy leader Richard Wearmouth said the figures represented 'what was offered, not what we have to accept by any stretch of the imagination'. He stated that many sites would be 'totally inappropriate' and that the council published the figures to begin an analysis before consulting the public about which sites were 'more realistic'.

How it is being reported

• Northumberland residents urged not to panic as dramatic new potential housing figures publishedResidents in Northumberland have been urged to remain calm amid fears some towns could see thousands of new houses built.Morpeth Herald · 15 Oct, 09:07
• Don't panic over housing numbers, Northumberland residents toldResidents in Northumberland have been urged to remain calm amid fears some towns could see thousands of new houses built. It comes after a new assessment was published looking at the potential number of new houses each settlement could accommodate in theory.Hexham Courant · 15 Oct, 05:00

In this story: Northumberland · Cramlington · Hexham · Richard Wearmouth

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