Vistry Partnerships North East makes £500,000 community pledge after homes approval

A developer has pledged £500,000 support for health, educational and coastal care initiatives across Northumberland after gaining approval for more than 150 homes.

Vistry Partnerships North East has secured consent to continue work on the Saint George scheme, based on the edge of Morpeth.

Work is expected to begin in January.

As part of the planning approval, bosses say they will invest around £453,000 in health and education initiatives, and £47,000 towards the protection and enhancement of public areas along the county’s coastline.

The company’s Linden Homes housebuilding division has already sold 119 properties at Saint George since the site was launched in 2015.

However, the original outline planning consent for up to 375 homes had expired, so a new application had to be lodged.

The site is included in Northumberland County Council’s Strategic Housing Plan and the 158 new two, three and four-bedroomed family homes – 16 of which will be for shared ownership – will form the next stage of the £100 million scheme being driven by Homes England, Vistry Partnerships and housing provider Home Group.

Andrew Rennie, Vistry Partnerships North East development director, said: “The aim is to continue to create a high-quality housing development, integrated into the surrounding woodland area, unlike any other new development in the locality.

“We already have a woodland management plan in place for the improvement and maintenance of Bluebell Woods for the enjoyment of the local and wider Morpeth residents.

“In addition, we are pleased to be able to support other community focused projects, for the benefit of the county.”