THE Duke of Northumberland is planning to build 18 new houses in Barrasford – a third of them affordable homes.

An application has been submitted by the Duke’s development arm, Northumberland Estates, to build the new houses on land close to the village school, between Percy Gardens and the existing East Acres estate.

The development will comprise five two-bedroomed affordable bungalows, eight two-bedroomed houses – one affordable –four three-bedroomed houses and one four-bedroomed house.

A key feature of the scheme is the creation of a “green” which will incorporate a new pond, which will be fenced off for safety reasons.

The Duke’s men say the development will offer a number of economic benefits, such as the creation of jobs throughout the construction process and boosting the village population to help maintain local services.

It also complies with all relevant local and national planning policies.