CONSTRUCTION firm Bellway North East has confirmed work is now under way on building its share of 181 new homes on a site which has proved controversial in Corbridge.

Outline planning permission for the development of the site, just off Milkwell Lane next to Corbridge Middle School, was granted in 2016 despite opposition from local residents and councillors.

As part of the planning process, work was carried out in the summer to widen Cow Lane for access to the site.

Now work on 58 new two, three and four-bedroom houses, and a choice of three-bedroom bungalows, has begun on a section of the site which will be known a Stanegate Manor.

The builder said the new properties would also include 10 houses designated as affordable housing for local people.

Detailed plans for the new homes were approved by Northumberland County Council last year. The development will include a new area for parking and bus drop-offs to serve the neighbouring middle school.

Head of sales at Bellway North East, Emma Chesterton, said: “We’re very proud to be a North-East builder adding to the history of this lovely village and providing much-needed new homes for local people.

“We’re expecting a great deal of interest in these new homes and would advise anyone interested to sign up online for the latest information as it becomes available.”

She added that an area of green belt to the north of the site would remain undeveloped, with trees and hedgerows retained, including those running centrally north-south through the site.

Miller Homes is understood to be developing the remainder of the site, to be known as Roman Fields.