A HOUSING Association has outlined details of a new estate of 72 affordable homes but admitted it has nearly 1,000 people on its waiting list.

Representatives from Broadacres revealed details of the homes which are being built as part of the new 1,000 home private estate at the North Northallerton development, Thurstan Park.

Broadacres representative Fiona Coleman told Northallerton Town Council they are providing 44 homes for rent including one, two and three bedroomed houses and two bed bungalows.

There would also be 28 properties including 18 two bed homes which would be shared ownership.

She added: “Local connections would apply, they would only be for people from Northallerton and the surrounding villages.

"We are hoping to get onto site very shortly and we are looking at possibly another phase of work which would be a further 38 units.”

Ms Coleman said once the work was underway they would be looking to raise public awareness to encourage as many people as possible to apply for the homes through the Broadacres North Yorkshire Home Choice scheme.

Councillor John Prest said: "It sounds very good, but how big is your waiting list?

"It used to be over 1,000.

"And there doesn’t seem to be a lot of three bed houses which I believe is what a lot of people are looking for.

"And local connections as I understand it it could be someone living away whose parents live in Northallerton, someone could have moved away 25-years ago but they have a family connection and can apply."

Broadacres representative Jill Sutcliffe said they had just under 1,000 people on the waiting list.

She added: "Out highest demand is for one and two bedroomed homes."

Ms Coleman said the local connection criteria was that applicants had to have a family connection in the area.

She said they were planning to have more properties to rent in phase two of the development and with more two and three bedroomed homes.

A member of the public told the meeting she had three children and had been on the Broadacres waiting list for 13-years.

She said that she did not find it a fair allocation system with houses in Northallerton few and far between.

The new estate which is being built off Darlington Road is due to start taking residents next year.

Ms Coleman said they would be arranging a drop in session and community engagement later in the year to give people a chance to find out more about the properties.