IT IS full steam ahead for a community-led housing scheme instigated by parish councillors.

Corbridge Parish Council last week revealed it had secured a grant from Northumberland County Council on top of acquiring a loan approval from the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government to purchase three houses and one bungalow for the benefit of local people.

Nick Oliver, county councillor for Corbridge, told the parish council meeting that a total of £180,000 had been acquired from the county council for the project on the Milkwell Lane site, part of plans from Miller Homes for 185 new homes.

The remainder of the cost for the housing scheme would be made up from the low interest loan, and all money from the rental of the properties would go into the parish council’s coffers once that loan was fully repaid.

Coun. Oliver said: “Hopefully, we can compete our little project and then it’s just a case of building the housing, and we will have four houses for the people of Corbridge.

“They will remain in Corbridge and once those loans have been paid off, all the money will come back into the parish.”

It is believed this scheme is the first of its kind in the UK which involves a town or parish council providing community-led housing.

The homes already have outline planning permission.