Introduction
SCATA's main focus is on trading, developing and managing community assets for the benefit of local people. Initially this is through the provision of affordable housing as this was a key priority identified in the 2009 Parish Plan.
SCATA's first project was the development of seven affordable homes - six in Guessburn and one on New Ridley Road. More information can be found below.
Housing Needs Survey
SCATA has commissioned arc4 (https://www.arc4.co.uk,) a leading provider of housing market analysis and assessments, to undertake a detailed housing needs survey in our part of the Tyne Valley. The area covered includes Stocksfield, Prudhoe and all its neighbouring areas, Mickley, Hedley, Ovingham, Ovington and Wylam; over 8,000 households.
The study will not only build on the highly successful housing needs survey carried out in our village over a decade ago (which can be seen here Microsoft Word - Broomley and Stocksfield Housing Needs Survey -Report - November 2013 ), but will provide vital insights into gaps in provision, especially gaps in affordable housing to rent. Key stakeholders, including housing associations and local councils, will also be asked to contribute to the survey.
Studies like this provide vital, up to date data and perspectives that assist local authorities, and in particular their planners, in making sound decisions with regard to the need for housing development. With the exception of the previous Stocksfield study there appears to be no detailed information available for our part of the valley.
If surveys are to be successful they really do need people to respond to the questions asked, so please, if you receive a survey do make a little time to complete and return it. It is only with the data that you provide that needs can be identified and sensible decisions made. Every completed survey returned contributes vital information.
SCATA is particularly grateful to Northumberland County Council’s Community Housing Fund, Community Action Northumberland (CAN) and Communities CAN for their support in carrying out this survey.
Finally, a very big thank you in anticipation of your support.
Building Affordable Homes
During the time a Community Development Trust was under discussion, two small brownfield sites became available and the possibility of developing affordable housing units emerged.
Major efforts were made to assess support for the project which included carrying out a major housing needs survey, and other consultation activities including exhibitions of the plans and drop-in sessions as indicated by the following information documents distributed to the local community - links to SCAN Extra Branch End and SCAN Extra Guessburn.
Guessburn & Branch End
Project Name:
Guessburn & Branch End
Location:
Stocksfield, Northumberland
Local Authority:
Northumberland County Council
Partners:
Stocksfield Community Association Trading Arm (SCATA), Isos Housing, HCA
NB Clark, HMH Architects, 3E Engineers, the whole community in Stocksfield.
Total Cost:
£900,000
Number of homes:
7
Six units - two bungalows and four flats were built on the site at Guessburn whilst a single bungalow was built on the Branch End site. Planning permission was secured in September 2013 and construction finally got under way in March 2014.
The Guessburn site, formerly the home of the snooker club, accommodates six of the seven planned units and comprises two 2-bedroomed bungalows and four 2-bedroomed flats .
Parking, open space, landscaping and planting were an integral part of the project as was ecological mitigation and enhancement, which included erecting bird and bat boxes.
A huge benefit for the parish is that the £100,000 income from the sale of the snooker club was re-invested in sports facilities via a major extension of the club house on the village sports field.
Keys for this development were handed over in early April and the official opening ceremony was performed by Alan Milburn on Friday 1 May 2015.
The last of the seven homes on Branch End was completed in July 2015. Pictured below is SCATA chair, Pete Duncan, with residents Elaine and Leslie Wilson outside their lovely new home.
