Bridging Newcastle Gateshead

Walker Riverside

Over the next 10-15 years, it is planned to develop Walker as a popular neighbourhood with 2200 new homes replacing up to 700 properties so that Walker is home to more people that at present. Work in Walker Riverside is being led by a partnership of Newcastle City Council, Places for People, Bridging NewcastleGateshead, Bellway, Enterprise 5 and Your Homes Newcastle

New Development

• The first phase of 29 new homes on the Cambrian estate was completed in early 2007.The total number of new homes planned for the Cambrian estate is 143 and all the homes will be built to at least Ecohomes standard very good. The homes will be available for affordable rent through NomadE5 or for sale through Bellway who can be contacted on 01661 864500.

• Work is also underway by Places for People on River’s Gate. 2, 3 and 4 bedroom houses and 2 bedroom apartments are being built for affordable rent, sale and affordable home ownership. The show homes on the site officially opened their doors to the public on Saturday February 16. The homes offer top quality design, innovative interior design and landscaped gardens. The River’s Gate properties range from two-bed apartments to spacious four-bed homes. Prices start at £65,000 (shared-ownership). To find out more, please drop-in to the River’s Gate sales office or give the team a call – 0191 275 9446.

• Seven new homes on Saffron Court – the former Baths site – are now complete. The first four homes, all bungalows, have been offered to Walker residents. The three houses were made available for shared equity

• Work is also continuing to be progressed on the Stack site and in time 28 new homes will be built there.

• Work is ongoing on Walker Road Boulevard to create a pleasant, tree-lined, landscaped entrance to Walker. The first part will be between Monkchester Road and St Anthony’s Way, due to be completed in 2008.

• Work on the new car park at the Oval is well underway and due for completion in spring 2008. It will provide more car parking space for local residents who have worked closely with Walker Riverside staff on the development.

Community Engagement

• The Walker Riverside Engagement Team office is based on Walker Road not far from St Anthony’s Road turn-off, situated in the Heart Of  Walker. The office can be contacted on 0191 275 9207.

• Local residents are making their mark in a ‘gateway’ park at the centre of Walker Riverside. Working with a local artist they are getting the chance to put their hand-prints, names or other designs in a new cobbled path scheme for Belmont Green which is next to the main Walker Road. The cobbles will be laid in a path as part of a major landscaping of Belmont Green.

• Local residents and schoolchildren have been put in the picture to promote the Walker Riverside project. They feature in four giant billboards right next to busy Walker Road.  One of the posters features youngsters from St Vincent's RC Primary School. They have been closely involved with the project with regular visits to the new River's Gate development.

Maintaining the Environment
A Neighbourhood Environmental Action Team is also working in the area.

Newcastle Private Rented Service

The Newcastle Private Rented Service offers free support and advice to tenants, landlords and agencies involved in the private rented sector in Newcastle upon Tyne. It aims to help create a well informed, well run and well managed private rented sector across the city. The Project was set up in 1997 to improve standards in the private rented sector and since then it has developed a whole range of services and good practice.
Contact: 0191 273 6103.

Newcastle Accreditation Scheme

The Newcastle Accreditation Scheme is a free and voluntary scheme which aims to improve and promote the private and rented sector. In order for a private rented property to become accredited or commended, a number of management and property standards must be met. Contact: 0191 273 6103.