North Ridge is being developed by Winton, and will include more than 370 homes on completion.

Construction of the first stage has commenced with local civil company, Keller Civil Engineers, and is expected to be complete by the end of the financial year.

The first stage is located at the eastern end of Brown Street, one of three future entry points along with Crossing Street, Bellbird, and Francis Street at West Cessnock.

TriState Land Sales major projects specialist Sam Budden said it's "excellent news" for new and existing residents of Cessnock and Bellbird alike.

"(There will be) more employment opportunities through the residential construction industry, new residents bolstering services within Cessnock CBD, and infrastructure improvements through developer contributions," he said.

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Mr Budden said the first release in North Ridge offers a diverse range of lot sizes and home options, with views of the Brokenback Mountain Range and natural bushland surrounds.

The subdivision was approved by Cessnock City Council after extensive rezoning and masterplan work to maximise the use of the site.

This included geotechnical studies to determine the area is suitable for development, with no former abandoned mineworkings observed beneath the proposed development area (which is located near the former Aberdare No 7 colliery).

The majority of the existing bushland on the site will be retained.

Meanwhile, work continues to progress at Bellbird's Mount View Grange estate, with several houses already under construction and civil works on the next stage under way.

Mount View Grange is being developed by Johnson Property Group on the north-western side of Bellbird, with an entry off Abbotsford Street.

It forms part of the Bellbird North Urban Release Area, which is flagged to include 3000 homes in the future.