Northumberland housing plans at risk

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Posted by Simon Honeysett on Sep 19, 08 08:55 AM in Councils

IN Northumberland the credit crunch has already seen council leaders forced to pay out ÃÂ£325,000 extra in energy bills, with officers warning there is no let up in sight.

They are now predicting an overall fuel and energy bill of ÃÂ£1.6m and a drop in their ability to make up the difference through land sales.

In a report to members last week councillors were told the situation in the region was so bad that "Colliers, a national firm of auctioneers, have cancelled their Northern sales because so many authorities are withdrawing sites frm the market".

Northumberland County Council leader Jeff Reid said he hoped the credit crunch did not turn into a credit crash.

"Bins will still be emptied, lights will still be switched on children still educated. But behind the scenes we will see some real pressures because right now every time we look at the news we think it can't get any worse and then it does.

"People are not buying land and that puts our plans of more affordable housing at risk."

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