Plans for a new multi-million pound residential redevelopment in Prudhoe have been given the green light.

The move will see a mix of 50 two, three and four-bedroom family homes built on a 1.7 ha site on land south of North Row in Prudhoe, Northumberland, as part of a residential redevelopment of a key site in the town.

The proposed £10m scheme on brownfield land adjacent to the former Eltringham Works could see prospective first-time buyers and families benefit from access to a readily available supply of good quality and accessible homes in Northumberland.

It is also predicted that the scheme will support the employment of up to 155 people in construction and the supply chain as well as create eight affordable homes, generating more than £600,000 in tax revenue.

Additional spending power from the new residents will positively impact on the local economy when people start to move in and spend their cash – estimated to be around £1.3m annually – locally on shopping, leisure facilities and community services.

Sean Hedley said that approval offers a great opportunity for an ambitious housebuilder to develop a site that will be seen as an important boost to the regeneration of an important county town.

Welcoming the decision, he said that it’s also a big step forward in delivering much-needed family homes for the North East and added: “Working closely with the planning authority from the outset has been invaluable in securing planning approval.

“As planners, we want to see the creation of good quality, beneficial new housing projects that leave a long-lasting legacy. This one will undoubtedly see a real positive change to this part of south Northumberland.”

He also said that it was encouraging to see planning applications being approved by the local authority planning department despite the difficulties imposed on the process by COVID-19.