Community-led housing schemes are becoming pivotal in revitalising rural town centres in Northumberland, offering sustainable solutions to the dual challenges of housing shortages and declining high street vitality. Recent research by the National Innovation Centre for Rural Enterprise (NICRE) commissioned by Communities CAN has highlighted how such initiatives can successfully reinvigorate local economies and rejuvenate community life.
Four Northumberland communities—Amble, Haltwhistle, Prudhoe, and Wooler—serve as exemplary models, demonstrating the transformative impact of community-driven regeneration projects. These schemes typically repurpose derelict buildings, simultaneously addressing housing shortages and reviving town centres by introducing permanent residents and dynamic commercial activities.
In Amble, the Development Trust created four affordable housing units and three retail spaces, offering affordable rents that align with local incomes (£320-£340 per month). Rental income from these properties is reinvested in local projects such as the Harbour Village, supporting local businesses and boosting economic activity. Similarly, Prudhoe’s Community Partnership collaborated with Karbon Homes to revitalise the former Windsor Bakery site, providing residential and retail units under the ‘Living Over the Shop’ initiative. Prudhoe’s ongoing development plans include converting a disused Victorian school into a mixed-use facility to further enhance community amenities.
The Glendale Gateway Trust in Wooler, established in the 1990s, now manages 20 affordable homes. Its innovative approach has set a precedent for community housing, proving the sustainability and long-term economic viability of reinvesting rental income into local improvements. Haltwhistle Partnership similarly addressed local needs by renovating several residential and retail spaces, benefiting the town with affordable housing and stimulating new businesses, further supported by community-driven initiatives like community cinemas and forest schools.
However, these community-led initiatives face significant challenges, notably financial constraints. The report identifies barriers such as restrictive access to Section 106 funding, typically available only to registered housing providers, limiting opportunities for wider community participation. Additionally, the requirement for community groups to partner with registered social landlords to access Homes England grants further complicates funding mechanisms.
Despite these hurdles, community-led projects excel through their use of local resources and networks, actively engaging local builders and tradespeople. This approach ensures economic benefits circulate within the community, strengthening local economies and social cohesion.
Community-led housing schemes foster local control and engagement, ensuring developments align closely with local needs and aspirations. They reinvest rental income directly into community-focused projects, underscoring their economic, social, and environmental sustainability.
The report recommends that local authorities expand support mechanisms such as Rural Housing Enablers (RHEs), providing expert advice to volunteer-run trusts. Additionally, it suggests reviewing existing policies to permit more flexible use of Section 106 funds and direct access to Homes England grants for community housing providers. These adjustments could significantly enhance the capacity of local organisations to independently initiate and manage effective regeneration projects.
Ultimately, community-led housing schemes in Northumberland offer robust evidence that localism, supported by strategic investment and partnerships, can substantially benefit rural town centres. Embracing these community-focused approaches can effectively address housing needs, stimulate local economies, and rejuvenate high streets, creating vibrant, resilient, and sustainable rural communities.
For more information and to view the full report, please pop by Communities CAN at www.communitiescan.org.uk, FERN was not part of this document.
