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Issue Date: 3rd October 2006
£15m approved for regneration schemes in NewcastleGateshead
Thousands of homes across Newcastle and Gateshead are set to benefit from almost £15million thanks to Bridging NewcastleGateshead (BNG).
The money will be used to improve housing quality and choice over the next two years in parts of Newcastle including Scotswood, Benwell and Elswick and in Gateshead at Bensham, Saltwell, Teams and the Felling Bypass.
One of the areas receiving funding will be Scotswood, which has been allocated almost £4million to spend on creating new development sites for much-needed, new-build sustainable family homes to help attract new residents.
At Sunderland Road South in Gateshead, over £1 million has been awarded for a programme of external improvements in Howard Street and Oban Terrace. Homes in Howard Street will see improvements to windows, doors, boundary walls and repointing and painting of front walls.
And residents of Oban Terrace will benefit from improvements made to the quality of the footpaths and the creation of a new back lane.
Other schemes which have been allocated funding include:
• £1.6million for improvements to properties in Elswick and the Discovery Quarter
• Almost £1million to improve properties in North Benwell
• More than £3million for regeneration work in Bensham and Saltwell. This money will be spent on development sites for new, sustainable homes as well as a programme of neighbourhood improvement, which will include external facelift works.
• Nearly £2million will be spent in Teams providing sites for new developments.
• Almost £1million to assist older homeowners over 60 living in NewcastleGateshead to carry out essential repairs and improvements to their homes.
• The Gateshead Private Rented Initiative receives almost £½million to improve standards in the private rented sector, providing support to private tenants and landlords.
Jim Coulter, Chair of Bridging NewcastleGateshead, said: "We have £64million to spend over the next two years on building and improving homes throughout Newcastle and Gateshead, which will help create great places to live.
"So we are delighted to award this latest allocation of funding to some very worthwhile projects, which will make a real difference to the lives of the people living in those areas"
Councillor David Napier, Cabinet Member responsible for Housing at Gateshead Council, says: "This funding will help us to make a real difference to local communities and address some of the problems which local people have told us they are concerned about.
"There has been a great deal of discussion about the kind of changes that local people would most like to see. Today's announcement shows that the focus is beginning to change - from talk to action.
"Over the next few years, I'm certain that people will really begin to notice the improvements we are intending to make. These projects are just the start."
Councillor Mike Cookson, Executive Member for Regeneration, Planning and Transport at Newcastle City Council, said: "We welcome Bridging NewcastleGateshead’s announcement of the latest allocation of funding from the £40m which will be invested in the city over the next two years.
"Their support is very important in helping us to achieve our vision for the city, encouraging more people to live here through the transformation of residential areas. We look forward to working with them to bring about real improvements to homes and neighbourhoods."