CASE STUDY
Gentoo’s Clayport Street and New Row developments, Alnwick - Provision of Affordable
Housing during the recession
Summary: In December 2009, the market town of
Alnwick received £5.8m investment from the
Homes and Communities Agency, provided as
part of the Government’s Kickstart funding
scheme. The funding was put to immediate use by
Gentoo, in partnership with Northumberland
County Council, to deliver the new affordable
homes over the next 18 months.
Description: Alnwick is a small market town in
North Northumberland, with a population of over
30,000. It is considered to be the most
picturesque market town in Northumberland and
voted the Best Place to Live in Britain by
Country Life Magazine in 2002. The Clayport
Street and New Row developments are
centrally placed in Alnwick and key strategic
sites for the Council, having stood vacant for
several years. Demand for affordable housing is
significant in the town.
Issue: Gentoo planned to build 93 homes and
7 retail units at its two Alnwick sites with
affordable properties on both. Work began on
the Clayport scheme but was halted in 2008 as
the developer felt the effects of the recession.
The site previously comprised of a garage, car
salesroom, public house and one retail unit
with a flat above. The two sites stood empty
for many months with little signs of work recommencing in the difficult climate.
Strategy: In partnership with Northumberland
County Council, Gentoo put together a bid for
money through the government's Kickstart
funding scheme to allow it to resume work.
Outcome: In December 2009, Gentoo was awarded £5.8m from the Homes and Communities
Agency (HCA) which allowed workmen to get back onto both sites in January 2010. The new homes
will be delivered, in partnership with Northumberland County Council, over the next 18 months. The
scheme will provide a total of 93 new town centre apartments and 27,000 sq feet of retail space next
to the town's Morrisons store and bus station. The new apartments at Alnwick will be a mix of 70
affordable rent and intermediate rent, with 23 being offered for market sale. A Stakeholder Working
Group meets monthly to monitor progress with the two developments and deal with any issues
arising. Representatives from several departments of Northumberland County Council (Strategic
Housing, Planning and Highways), local members, Alnwick Town Council, Alnwick Community
Development Trust, local residents, local businesses and Gentoo attend the useful meetings.
Pat Ritchie, regional director of the HCA in
the North East, said: "The significant
investment will allow Gentoo to progress the
previously stalled schemes, which will help to
bring much-needed housing for local people in
areas they want to live and homes they can
afford. One of our key objectives continues to be
investing in rural areas to address issues
surrounding affordable housing and community
sustainability, and both Gentoo schemes are a
great example”.
Stewart Allen, Managing Director of Gentoo Ventures, said: “This is very exciting news for both
Gentoo and the region as a whole. The money must be used straight away, meaning that we can
get to work on site to provide much needed affordable housing and investment in the local area”.
Again we would like to thank Northumberland County Council and the HCA for their help and
support in making this bid and we look forward to working closely with them to deliver the scheme
in the coming months”.
For further information, please contact John Turnbull, Local Authority Housing Enabler (North),
Northumberland County Council
Tel. 01289 301 837
Email: John.Turnbull02@Northumberland.gov.uk