Publication Date: 12-09-2025 09:00
First residents move in at new Bellway development in Killingworth
The first residents have moved into their homes at the new Western Grange development in Killingworth.
Bellway is building 156 homes in the first phase of construction at the site, which is part of a wider 539-home scheme being delivered by the developer on land to the east of the village.
Fourteen homes have now been completed and handed over to their new owners, and a further 18 properties still under construction have been reserved.
Among the new residents are Brad Wild, 30, and Lauren Clark, 26, who have purchased a three-bedroom semi-detached home at the development. They previously lived in an older property a few miles away in North Gosforth, and decided they wanted a new build.
Brad said: “You have the site team looking after you which is a massive safety net. And with a new build there’s not much to really do after moving in whereas moving into an older property you have to crack on with work on it straight away. Everything here was ready, finished and brand new.”
The location was a big attraction as they didn’t want to move too far from the area they had been living in. “It’s a lot more like you are in a village here,” said Brad. Now they are busy settling in and gradually getting to know the neighbours.
Construction work at Western Grange began in 2024 after Bellway secured planning permission and acquired the land for the wider 539-home scheme earlier that year.
More than 600 people enquired about the homes before the development launched, prompting Bellway to release the first properties onto the market in July last year, three months earlier than planned. More than 100 people attended the launch event, with four customers reserving homes that weekend.
Emma Chesterton, Sales Director for Bellway North East, said: “The level of interest in the homes at Western Grange was immense right from the beginning and this has continued ever since. Homes are selling well in advance of the build programme, with 18 buyers currently waiting for their new properties to be completed before they can move in.
“The location is a significant draw for potential buyers. It’s a beautiful semi-rural setting but still offers the convenience of having essential amenities such as schools, shops and a GP surgery all within a two-mile radius. A large area of public open space will be created in the southern part of the wider site, which is appealing to customers like Brad and Lauren looking for a place with more of a village feel.
“The wide variety of two to five-bedroom properties is helping to meet the needs of a diverse range of buyers, while the use of the new heating, lighting and water technologies means these homes are not only convenient to maintain but more energy efficient and environmentally friendly too.”
The first phase of 156 homes at Western Grange, which is located on land south of West Lane at the western edge of the wider 539-home scheme, will comprise 122 homes for private sale and 34 affordable homes for low-cost rent or shared ownership.
Ashberry Homes, which is part of the Bellway Group, has started construction work on 122 homes at Woodland Edge, in the southern part of the wider development. The first residents are due to move in here in March.
For more information about the homes at Western Grange, visit https://www.bellway.co.uk/new-homes/north-east/western-grange.
To find out more about Woodland Edge, go to https://www.ashberryhomes.co.uk/new-homes/north-east/woodland-edge.
