Housing targets – New local plan.

I believe that Prudhoe (& elsewhere) needs more homes.

The right type, number and location, these should be homes for the future not just houses everywhere for the sake of meeting this Government’s targets.

Northumberland is unique in so many ways and this should be preserved as far as possible.

Settlements should not merge into one, this would lose local pride and identity.

What is the local plan ?

The Local Plan sets the main planning policies for Northumberland. 

The Local Plan, along with ‘made’ Neighbourhood Plans, forms our statutory development plan. Together these set the rules for where and how new development can happen in Northumberland. 

Town & parish councils need to complete their neighbourhood plans as a matter of urgency.

The Northumberland Local plan.

CLICK HERE

Local Councils urged to create Neighbourhood plans (Dec 24) via Chronicle CLICK HERE

13/10/26

This Government’s new housing targets for Northumberland  mean the county will have to build the equivalent of Blyth, Morpeth, Berwick and Haltwhistle over the next two decades,

Northumberland will need to build 1,760 new homes a year under the new proposals.

“Local authorities have always had to prepare a local plan – but this time round it is very different.

There is going to be fundamental changes and a massive increase in house building in Northumberland.

“The greenbelt protection has been removed.

People are going to see houses built in huge numbers in areas they never thought possible.

“Just to put it into context, the new target means we will have to build more than 34,000 houses over the life of the new plan.

“We need people to get involved and take ownership. 

The figures below show that developers have shown interest in building houses in the various areas.

Caveat – There is no guarantee that they will progress this to planning applications.

As always I will keep people informed, this will be a complicated and long running process.

More road safety improvements

I asked that work was carried out to improve the safer crossing of this road.
This has now been done.
Along with surface patching.
I have asked that the white lines in the area be repainted.
The section of this road has a maximum speed of 30mph.
It had been higher but I asked that it be reduced to that speed, this has been in place for a few years now.
Whatever is done, the driver of a vehicle is the only one who can control the speed of their vehicle.
The Police are monitoring the speed of vehicles along this road, and others in the area.
Northumbria Police information
prudhoeroadsafety
https://www.northumbria.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/rs/road-safety/speeding/
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Rural housing issues.

HOUSING LEGISLATION THREATENS RURAL NORTHUMBERLAND COMMUNITIES, WARNS NCC CABINET MEMBER

 Landlords and historic private estates across rural Northumberland are increasingly being forced to sell off long-held tenanted properties as a direct consequence of recent legislative changes introduced under the Labour Government’s housing reform act.

The warnings come from County Councillor Gordon Stewart, Cabinet Member at Northumberland County Council, who has raised serious concerns over the fallout hitting rural villages, including historic estates such as Rock, Blenkinsop & Blanchland.

Local families—some of whom have lived in and maintained these estate properties for generations—are now facing the devastating prospect of having to leave their homes as landlords sell off stock to navigate burdensome new regulatory and legal obligations.

The shift is triggering a chain reaction across the county’s housing market, with severe local consequences:

  • Erosion of Rural Communities: Long-term local residents are being uprooted, threatening the social fabric and heritage of historic estate villages.

some with skills unique to rural life.

  • Influx of Second-Home Buyers: Displaced tenanted homes are increasingly at risk of being purchased by wealthy buyers from southern England or over the Scottish border as second homes or holiday lets, further Pricing out locals.
  • Urban Displacement: Families unable to buy their current homes are being forced to move miles away to larger urban towns to find alternative council or affordable housing.
  • Squeezed Rental Supply: The sudden reduction in available private long-term rentals is placing unprecedented pressure on an already tight local housing market.

Commenting on the crisis, Cllr Gordon Stewart said:

“What we are seeing across Northumberland is the harsh, real-world reality of top-down legislation pushed through by this Labour Government. Ill-thought-out legal changes are forcing responsible private estates and landlords to sell up, destroying rural rental stock in the process.

“This isn’t just about property numbers; it’s about real families. People who have built their lives in villages like Rock, Blanchland & Blenkinsop sometimes across generations—are being forced out. Instead of protecting tenants, these policy shifts are driving local residents toward larger towns and opening the door for wealthy out-of-area buyers looking for second homes.

“We are facing a rural housing emergency where supply is evaporating and local families are paying the price. The Government must urgently rethink the impact these broad-brush legislative changes are having on countryside communities before our rural villages are permanently altered.”

We are acutely aware of an increase in homelessness, including people sleeping in tents, and several people predominately men ‘living’ in campervans and vans.

Each has a story behind them, possibly drink or drug dependencies, or relationship breakdowns, and more now who say they have mental health problems, unemployment rising or just the sheer cost of living.

Help is available for them all, but some are now enjoying the mobile living lifestyle and decline a bricks and mortar residence or other support.

Northumberland County Council continues to monitor the impact on local rental capacity and housing services as displaced tenants seek support across the County.

Notes 

https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/north-east-housing-crisis-exposed-34334806
https://www.northumberlandgazette.co.uk/business/new-analysis-claims-scottish-high-earners-could-save-over-ps46000-in-income-tax-by-living-in-northumberland-8827623

Those seeking a home are urged to register with homefinder.

https://www.northumberlandhomefinder.org.uk/#

Advice is available incl via

Citizens Advice Northumberland

Rock village https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rock,_Northumberland?wprov=sfti1

Blenkinsopp estate

https://www.hexham-courant.co.uk/news/19329745.blenkinsopp-hall-estate-sold-5m/

Blanchland

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blanchland?wprov=sfti1

Road closure Wylam

Station Road Wylam

Northumberland County Council road closure for resurfacing and associated works. Expected road closure dates for phase 1 civils, Including drainage, replacing kerbs, vegetation clearance, verge works: 14/09/2026 – 16/09/2026 between the hours of 08:00 & 17:00. Expected road closure for phase 2 plaining out the road surface and resurfacing: 17/09/2026 – 20/09/2026between the hours of 19:00 & 07:00. 3 night shift working. Order dates: 14/09/2026 – 05/03/2027

Details of the disruption can be viewed here https://one.network/?tm=GB150749681   

Please call 0345 600 6400 and quote the reference number for further information.

RSPCA Shop closes

County Councillor Gordon Stewart previously set out his concern about Government policies impacting upon Charities. CLICK HERE

The permanent closure of the RSPCA charity shop on Front Street in Prudhoe is a real loss for the town.

County Councillor Gordon Stewart noted, high street branches like this have long served as vital community facilities—not just for fundraising for animal welfare, but also as local options for shoppers and those wishing to recycle by donating goods. and of course employment and volunteering opportunities.

The closure reflects a broader trend affecting high streets right across the Country, driven by a combination of factors:

Key Drivers Behind High Street & Charity Shop Closures

  • Government & Economic Policy Pressures: Rising operational costs, increases in business rates set by the Government, employment costs such as wages and higher employers National Insurance contributions, electricity & heating costs make maintaining physical brick-and-mortar units significantly harder for charities and small businesses.
  • Cheap imports from abroad being sold by several large household names.
  • Lifestyle & Shopping Shifts: Consumer habits have shifted rapidly towards online shopping, resale platforms, and digital donations.
  • Footfall & High Street Dynamics: Reduced footfall on traditional high streets makes it challenging to maintain overheads, even for well-loved local organisations.
  • Volunteer Availability: Many charity shops rely heavily on local volunteers. Post-pandemic changes in lifestyle, work schedules, and demographics have made volunteer recruitment and retention more difficult for local and regional organisations.
  • Goods availability – Many households are struggling with rising household bills such as taxation and utility bills, they are buying less and keeping hold of goods longer.

It is always disappointing to see prominent premises on Front Street go quiet, especially when they support such a worthwhile cause like the RSPCA.

(Free car parking is available in the town centre, a regular bus service and within a short walking distance of many houses)

The Government must act quickly to support the great British tradition of helping charities .

** Please do not leave items outside the shop **

Donations can still be made via Northumberland west RSPCA CLICK HERE

The saying ‘use it or lose it’ is more important than ever right now, please shop local in Prudhoe, a great place to live work visit learn & invest in.

Employment and volunteering opportunities can be found on this site and also on my dedicated facebook & twitter platforms CLICK HERE