A Northumberland council-owned housing developer is planning to expand its operations and workforce extensively over the coming years.
- The developer aims to increase its turnover to £80m while growing its team from 70 to over 100 employees.
- Plans are underway to establish four additional sites in the northeast, aiming for a portfolio of 14 locations by 2027.
- Despite past financial losses, newly secured land deals are bolstering the developer’s ambitious growth strategy.
- There is a strong focus on delivering affordable housing solutions across Northumberland and surrounding regions.
Ascent Homes, a Northumberland County Council-owned developer, has charted a significant expansion path for itself. It plans to increase its turnover to £80 million as part of its ongoing growth strategy. Previously comprising 40 employees, Ascent Homes has already expanded to 70 staff members, with plans in place to surpass the 100-employee mark by next year.
Currently, the developer maintains operational sites across various locations, including Alnwick, Blyth, Choppington, Ellington, and Wooler. In a bid to extend its reach, the company is looking to open new sites in Berwick-upon-Tweed, Bellingham, and Hadston, which would augment its existing portfolio to a total of 14 sites by 2027. This expansion could result in the creation of around 1,300 homes.
The most recent financial filings for Ascent Homes indicate a pre-tax loss nearing £1 million on a turnover of £23 million for the year ending 31st March 2023. However, Director Paul Errington remains optimistic about future prospects, emphasising that the beautiful locales of Northumberland continue to attract interest from across the UK, particularly in the wake of the pandemic.
Errington highlights the strategic acquisition of new lands as a pivotal element supporting the company’s vision of sustainable and affordable housing growth. He notes that Ascent Homes aspires not only to expand within Northumberland but also to extend its housing solutions to broader regions.
He reflects on the transformative period for Ascent Homes, stating: “It’s a very exciting time for Ascent Homes. Our next chapter presents lots of opportunities for locals, buyers, suppliers, and landowners.” His comment underscores the developer’s commitment to providing “the right housing, in the right areas, at the right price” for the northeastern populace.
Ascent Homes is poised for a period of notable growth, underscored by strategic expansion and community-focused housing solutions.
