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Issue Date: 17 Dec 2007
Communities Minister Meets Scotswood Residents
Communities Minister Iain Wright MP met with Scotswood residents today (Monday, 17th December) to find out more about the exciting regeneration plans for their community.
The Minister was making his first official visit to housing market renewal pathfinder Bridging NewcastleGateshead (BNG) when he met with residents Alma Wheeler, Nellie Ternent, Audrey Bushell, Gwen Hind, Audrey Kennedy and Joe Bell.
The residents talked to the Minister about the history of their community, and outlined the work that has been taking place to improve Scotswood. They also discussed the plans for the area, including a Housing Expo which could see up to 1,800 new homes being built. The Minister met the residents at Scotswood Regeneration Centre in Armstrong Road where the Council’s Scotswood Regeneration Team is based, making them more accessible to residents.
Alma Wheeler commented: “It was a great opportunity to meet with the Minister and tell him all about the future development. We’re really excited about the future and we were all delighted to share our plans with him. The Minister seemed very interested in the plans for our area.”
During his visit, the Minister was also given a tour of the innovative BoKlok site in St James Village, Gateshead. In a first for the UK, 117 Scandinavian-style, timber-framed houses and flats are being built which are available for affordable sale. The properties, which are due for completion in early 2008, have attracted huge interest from potential buyers.
Junior Housing Minister Iain Wright said: “It’s been really important for me to see the area and talk to residents about the history of Scotswood, the present developments and, most significantly, their ambitions for the future.
“Residents have been highly involved in the work here in Scotswood and their ambition and vitality are fantastic.”
The visit provided an opportunity for the Minister to find out more about the work that BNG has been carrying out to improve housing quality and choice, and the organisation’s plans for the future. It took place ahead of the Government announcement on funding allocation for BNG in 2008-2011 which is expected early next year.
BNG’s Director Anne Mulroy commented: “We were delighted to welcome the Minister to NewcastleGateshead and show him some of the exciting, innovative work that we are carrying out.
“We were able to update the Minister on our plans for the future, and outline the significant progress that we have already made in creating great places to live. It was also an opportunity for the Minister to hear first-hand, from local residents, about the improvements that are taking place.”