Northumberland's new super council is preparing to start spending £2.7m of Government funding on "pump priming" key sites earmarked for a major housing-led regeneration programme.
South East Northumberland was designated an official Growth Point a year ago as part of a Government initiative involving 6,300 new homes in the county by 2017.
Blyth Estuary, the Ellington/Lynemouth area, the former St George's Hospital in Morpeth, Cambois, East Ashington and south west Cramlington have been earmarked as the six areas to benefit from the programme, which aims to deliver regeneration and increased affordable housing.
He might be called Harry Potter but he doesn't have a flying car.
So when this particular Harry drove his Vauxhall Corsa off a jetty into the River Blyth it was hardly a magic moment - he nearly drowned himself and his teenage son.

Driver, Mr Potter, who is in his late 30s and from Longtown, Cumbria told lifeboat workers he had left his car in gear and when he turned the key in the ignition the car lurched forward over the jetty and into the water.
A crash caused traffic problems in a Northumberland town.
The accident happened at around 6.20pm last night when a Ford Fiesta collided with a Honda Civic on the A189 south-bound near to Bebside roundabout in Blyth.
No-one was seriously hurt in the crash but the road was blocked for a short time while the debris was cleared.
A wakeboarding clown being towed by a lifeboat is not a usual sight in Northumberland, or indeed anywhere, but it will be the latest stunt by a heroic crew to raise much-needed funds for their station.
Gerry Moore, Gordon Willis, Phil Morgan, Matt Fairburn, Bruce Furness, Keri Merilo make up the crew for the Blyth All Weather Lifeboat Service.
More used to springing in to action on a life-saving mission, they are taking on a new challenge by organising a fundraising open day.
A motorist had a fortunate escape when a car plunged off a sloping jetty and into a river in Northumberland.
The driver was helped out of the water by a passer-by after the Vauxhall Corsa went into the River Blyth at the Seven Stars jetty near Cambois just after 8pm on Tuesday.
Police and ambulance paramedics attended the incident after being alerted by the public.
Workers at the Procter & Gamble factory in Longbenton, Newcastle have raised £2,500 for Blyth's RNLI lifeboat station.
The money will be used to pay for new safety helmets and other lifesaving equipment used by the crew of the Jennie B lifeboat.
Green-fingered enthusiasts are being offered invaluable advice on how to transform their gardens into wildlife havens.
Heather O'Neill, of Northumberland Wildlife Trust, will visit South Beach Library next month to give a presentation on the most effective methods of allowing a variety of species to thrive.
The event at the library, in Fulmar Drive, takes place on Monday, July 20, from 10am to noon. Admission is free, but places are limited and need to be booked on 0845 600 6400 or (01670) 363091.
More than 2,000 female council workers in Northumberland are set for payouts after agreement was finally reached to settle a long-running, £50m equal pay claim.
Women county council employees such as cleaners, kitchen assistants and carers are in line for the compensation payments as a result of being underpaid for years in comparison to male colleagues who earned bonuses.
Northumberland County Council is the last local authority in the North East to settle its equal pay dispute with the GMB and Unison - and defended its case as far as an Employment Tribunal scheduled for earlier this month.
Hundreds of pupils and staff from a Blyth school have enjoyed a special day out as part of a series of activities to mark its final term.
Eleven coaches were required to take 550 youngsters, teachers, assistants, cooks, cleaners and other staff from Wensleydale Middle School in Blyth on the mass outing to Herrington Country Park in Sunderland.
They took part in a day of activities, which was paid for with the help of fundraising raffles and events held at the school.
Hindreds of elderly and disabled people who use seven council-run day centres in Northumberland face a three-month wait to find out whether they can be saved from closure.
A series of public meetings on the future of the threatened centres in Amble, Bedlington, Blyth, Hexham, Haltwhistle, Ponteland and Prudhoe - which are used by 370 people a week - has now been completed, and final decisions will be taken in September.
Further private meetings will be held with individual centre users and their families, and feedback from the public consultation analysed, before reports setting out the various options are presented to county councillors.

Click here to find some great days out and fantastic family attractions,





"Where are the comments and denials by Blyth Valley Labour Party on the many issues that have come to..."
"I think the beach chalets are a great idea and would like to put my name down to hire one , or can y..."
"any more pics me?..."
"Despite attempts to get reports to Council which were described by officers as a waste of their valu..."
"As a former Blyth Valley Borough Councillor, I was never informed about the large amount of uncollec..."
"After trying to raise numerous problems about Blyth Market Place in Council Meetings and seeking fur..."
"Ronnie Campbell bought a stupid hat and claimed £39 for it on his expenses, was this hat a requireme..."
"Hi Chimaine, I've checked through the pictures we have on the system of the Galaxy Spartans game an..."
"some photographer took a picture of me and my 2 friends with spartans painted on our faces where is..."
"ashley, chris and jamie were not there, let down or what!! ..."