Northumberland County Cllr Gordon Stewart, who represents Prudhoe South is calling upon developers and social housing providers to 'up their game' and listen to the needs and wish's of  local communities.  

"There is a need for more housing as the population ages and grows, and the well thought out local plan has to be the main road map for the future," he explains.

"But the developers and housing providers must make life a lot less stressful by making one of their priorities a quicker turnover of housing once vacated, by having a blueprint for work to be done.

"Far too often homes take weeks to be brought up to a modern standard before new tenants are allowed access.

"When major work is carried out on estates, a perfectly good house is sometimes used as a base for workers and storage, this has to change' 

"Tenancy fraud is leaving good quality homes empty, and I am pleased that the council and partners are taking firm but fair action in tackling such criminal acts, and the public are urged to play their part by giving up property they no longer want and others to report such fraud to the authorities.

"Some developers still believe it would convince people and planners to support an application by planting a tree and construct a playpark in a new development.

"In reality I know that there is a real need for more bungalows and specialist designed homes for young people with disabilities and special educational needs to allow them independence within the wider community, but there has to be local facilities close by and transport links, its unacceptable to have such homes tucked away at the end of an estate."