A NEW housing development in Ponteland is set to bring financial contributions of nearly £700,000 towards the improvement of local roads and public transport.

Jameson Manor, a joint development by Bellway and Ashberry Homes, on the site of the former headquarters of Northumbria Police, off North Road, is providing 253 new homes for the area, including 51 affordable houses for local people through rent or shared ownership.

As part of the planning agreement for the development, the housebuilders will contribute a total of £690,000 towards highways infrastructure, traffic management and public transport. The funding will improve provision for pedestrians and cyclists by including a new footpath and cycleway along the south side of the access road into the site, while two bus stops are proposed within the development.

Bellway and Ashberry Homes will also be ensuring public access to the grounds of the whole site, including open, grassed areas and woodland and the preparation, approval and implementation of a nature conservation management plan.

The 23-hectare site was purchased by the developers in 2018 for £21 million, the proceeds of which are being re-invested into policing across the county. Construction work has been underway since 2019, with the first residents moving into their homes later that year.

Bellway has built 184 of the new homes at Ottermead, at Jameson Manor, and Ashberry Homes has provided 69 properties at Bridgemoor, at Jameson Manor.

Head of sales for Bellway North-East Emma Chesterton said: “We pride ourselves on building not just homes, but also communities, and we aim to make a positive impact on the local areas that our developments are in.

“The contributions we are providing as part of the planning agreement for Ottermead, at Jameson Manor, will help to improve highways and transport for local people, while the development itself will bring much-needed homes to Ponteland, with a wide selection of properties that will appeal to a variety of potential buyers.”

Sales manager for Ashberry Homes’ Durham division Oliver Wray added: “It is a key part of our role as a responsible housebuilder to make investments which will help improve the lives of local people.

“We hope our planning contributions for Bridgemoor, at Jameson Manor, along with the range of new homes we are bringing to the area, will make a difference for new and existing residents for generations to come.

“We would advise any house-hunters looking to find a new home in Ponteland to get in touch with our sales team to book a viewing appointment and find out more about the homes we have on offer here.”

Ashberry Homes is currently selling its final four-bedroom home at Bridgemoor, at Jameson Manor, priced from £479,995. Meanwhile, at Ottermead, at Jameson Manor, Bellway North East has a choice of three and four-bedroom houses currently available to reserve, priced from £326,995.

An exclusive collection of just 22 homes, within listed buildings, at the former police HQ, are also being delivered by Bellway at The Listed at Ottermead. Prices for these homes start from £594,995.

For more information visit ashberryhomes.co.uk or bellway.co.uk.