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Walking maps for Bensham & Saltwell infocus: the BNG Residents’ Panel Scotswood preferred developer partner named

Issue 18 Summer 2010 news

Scotswood preferred developer partner named

Barratt Keepmoat Yuill (BKY) Consortium has been chosen as the preferred developer partner for Scotswood. The plans for Scotswood include not only 1,800 new homes but also new community spaces and facilities, and improvements to the infrastructure – such as the public spaces. Work has now started to get the site ready for new homes to be built. The ‘Make Your Mark: Creative Community Programme’ for Scotswood and will also be launched this summer. The programme will involve the community and will celebrate the past, enjoy the present and look to the future through local activities and projects. Bill Shepherd, Executive Member for Regeneration and Housing for Newcastle City Council, said: “The appointment of BKY is a key stage in setting up the joint venture to help deliver a new sustainable neighbourhood in the west part of the city.”

Welcome home to first New maps reveal Bensham Opposite page, and Saltwell's hidden gems main image: Residents at the A new set of walking maps have been launched to work to improve housing quality and choice, are also movers at Riverside Dene Sycamores launch show the hidden gems of Bensham and Saltwell. highlighted during the walks. These include the weekend in the The pocket-size booklets of five 30-minute walking improvements made to several streets in the area new entrance hall maps show some of the neighbourhood's most through the block improvement scheme, as well as The first residents have moved interesting sites, including the area's oldest terraces, Avondale Park, which was reopened last year after a Left: Three blocks into the new-look apartments in at Riverside Dene churches and listed buildings. More recent features total refurbishment. The walking maps were launched are being of the neighbourhood, which are part of the ongoing in June with a special tour for local residents. the Sycamores at Riverside Dene. completely revamped The Sycamores, which offers smart new duplexes and one-bed and two-bed apartments, is the first of three Above: Works blocks being improved to be completed in the manager Keith former Cruddas Park. Cockburn and Martin Walker William, 38, was the very first resident to move in and Area Programme was welcomed into his new home by Councillor Director (West) at the Scotswood John Shipley and John Lee of Your Homes Newcastle. regeneration site William said: “I’m really happy to be in here and it’s “I’m pretty chuffed,” he said. “The old blocks felt a lot almost an honour to be the first person in here.” like prisons and in winter there was literally ice on the Right: The walking inside of the windows. I think these are going to tours profile the The residents began moving in after a launch make a massive difference in the area.” improvements weekend which gave local residents a preview of the made to Bensham revamped apartments. Shenene, 31, was impressed Every one of the blocks will get its heat and hot water and Saltwell's streets by the views across the Tyne Valley from the from the new biomass district heating system, made projecting window of her new two-bed apartment possible by Government funding, which will help to and her partner Paul, 37, said he thought the building cut carbon emissions and trim residents' fuel bills wouldn’t look out of place in . well into the future.

great great 02 places Summer 2010 www.bridgingng.org.uk places 03

Teams schoolchildren have Left: Sophie, Paul designed posters to help keep and Kieron unveil residents safe while demolition their posters on works are carried out in their area. site with Councillor Angela Douglas, Pupils from St Aiden's Church of Cabinet Member Primary School took part for Housing in a poster competition after Below: A dancer learning about safety issues at a at the Bollywood special assembly in March. Film Night They got tips from Northumbria Fire and Safety and Owen Pugh Opposite page, Contractors Ltd on avoiding Main image: hazards while properties at Dixon residents Herbie and Janice Street and Corbitt Street are being talk to Byker Steering demolished so that new, larger, Group Chair Professor family homes can be built. Peter Roberts The winning designs by Sophie Below right: Robson, Paul Fawcus and Kieron Councillor Sir Jeremy Beecham and Distin have now been put up on Councillor Hazel the site to promote these safety Stephenson with messages to local people. Ellie Cruize Newcastle

Bensham and Saltwell Alive week was a great Gateshead Together Week took place in May to Local people are being invited to have their say As part of the improvements to Denton Dene, success over the Easter holidays. It attracted lots celebrate good neighbours and community pride on the future of the Byker Estate. Newcastle City local school children were invited to design a new of residents to a series of outdoor activities, family across the borough. Events included a Mini-Mela, Council and Your Homes Newcastle have put logo for Denton Dene around the themes of ‘past, forward a proposal to introduce a Community present and future’. The entries were voted on by local fun days and community events. Now residents are which offered a range of multi-cultural arts and crafts e being encouraged to get involved online as the workshops for all the family, Gateshead Together Housing Trust, after discussion with local residents. people at the Family Fun Day on 15 April with Ellie project launches on the Gateshead Council website. Football Tournament and a Bollywood Film Night A ballot on the proposal is to be held in October 2010. Cruize from St Bede’s Primary School chosen as the

winner. The winning logo was then made into six l The project aims to find out about the interests, featuring the movie Slumdog Millionaire. The Health and Wealth community event was held designs with further voting by local people in talents and skills of residents in the neighbourhood, at Pottery Bank in April and included a number Scotswood, and an overall logo design was chosen. and to give residents an opportunity to share and of stalls, which gave advice on healthy eating and The logo will be seen on all new signs as part of the develop those skills. Go to living an active lifestyle. Help was also on hand to help ongoing project in the Dene. Ellie received her www.gateshead.gov.uk/alive for more information. people back into work and advice about benefits. certificate and prize at Benwell Scotswood Ward Children and adults from the estate got active with Some of Gateshead's Street Representatives Committee, and met Councillor Sir Jeremy Beecham Newcastle United Foundation and the Newcastle visited Safety Works to get tips on keeping and Councillor Hazel Stephenson during a surprise Eagles, whilst a number of residents had their nails, themselves and their homes safe. The Reps visit to her school. The project has been managed by hands and faces painted. attended workshops on fire prevention, personal safety Scotswood Neighbourhood Management Initiative in the kitchen and improving road safety. They also got A fortnight of action has taken place in Cowgate working with partners. advice on avoiding doorstep selling and scams, and to help residents live in a safer, healthier and distraction burglaries. One of the Reps who attended vibrant place. In the third event of its kind in the the session, Mrs Bazler from Westbourne Avenue, said: area, there was also a crackdown on rogue landlords, "You think you know everything about home safety but criminal activity, environmental action such as street you don't. It was an excellent day and very informative." cleaning, graffiti removal and ‘guerrilla gardening’ – Gateshead Council has launched a new interactive with residents encouraged to plant the free sunflower cast application to help residents take a closer look at seeds they received. the improvements being made on their streets. Benwell Neighbourhood Management Initiative The block improvement tour lets residents see the has moved. The Neighbourhood Manager, types of changes being made by the block Maria Anderson and Neighbourhood Manager’s improvement scheme, including new railings, doors Assistant Andrew Wilson have moved to the Search and walls, stonework, garden treatments and windows. Project, 74 Adelaide Terrace. Maria can be contacted Take the tour at www.gateshead.gov.uk/livelove at [email protected] w The neighbourhood wardens are now based at Cruddas Park shopping centre, and can be contacted on 0300 1000 101. ateshead great great 04 places Summer 2010 www.bridgingng.org.uk places 05 G Ne In Focus… The BNG Residents’ Panel

The BNG Residents’ Panel was set up in 2009 and meets regularly, providing views on a range of subjects. Here, we look in more detail at what the Panel does….

Q: What is the aim Your application form will then be of the BNG Residents’ Panel? assessed by an independent organisation The Panel provides a link between the BNG Board which helps us with recruitment before an and residents. Panel members provide opinions on informal telephone interview. If you are subjects related to the overall running of BNG. successful at this stage, you will then be These comments from the Panel members are then invited into BNG to meet with us to find fed into BNG Board meetings and are also acted out more about our work, and we can find upon, where appropriate. out more about you. Q: What type of subjects does Q. What kind of members the BNG Residents’ Panel discuss? are you looking for? Subjects which the Panel members discuss are all Our members come from a variety of about the overall running of BNG and NOT the backgrounds - some are active in their different neighbourhoods in which we work. community whilst others have experience For example, we have looked at how BNG of regeneration through their job. The only communicates with residents, with the Panel key requirement we have is that members members providing feedback on this newsletter live within the BNG area*. We are looking Meet the BNG Residents’ Panel greatplaces. We have also asked the Panel for members who have an interest in the Main image: members for their thoughts on our approach to work which is taking place to improve We are lucky to have a Panel From Newcastle, Betty has been at the heart of BNG The BNG work in her community and is passionate that the property improvements. their neighbourhoods. Residents’ Panel made up of members with such community should be involved at every stage. Q. Where has the Panel had an impact? Q. Are you recruiting at present? Left: different experience, background Dewan is involved in the community and local The Panel members’ comments have had a direct Yes. In particular, we are looking for Kate, Margaret and and interests. groups and also works as an interpreter for the Police. impact on the design and content of this magazine. applications from people living in Byker, Tom from the BNG And Margaret has been secretary of her local Residents’ Panel Their views have also influenced the ways in which we the North of Newcastle and Felling in From Gateshead, our membership includes Rob residents’ association for the last ten years and has will communicate with residents about improvements Gateshead. who has a wealth of experience and knowledge in been involved in consultation around the planning environments and working with to private homes. And at the last meeting, we asked Q. Do Panel members get paid? regeneration of Scotswood. the panel members for their thoughts on uses for disadvantaged groups, and Dot who is a local No. This is a voluntary role although we empty sites (sites where demolition has taken place). businesswoman and a Gateshead Council street will pay reasonable expenses such as Their comments will now be included in the report we representative. Ray has a good understanding of travel to and from meetings. Our current are producing on this. design, having taken part in the Gateshead urban Panel members have also taken part in a design project. He now sits on the Gateshead Q. How often does the Residents’ Panel meet? community development course which Community Design Reference Group. Malik works The Residents’ Panel meets approximately every led to a qualification and we would look to with a range of people in his local community, offer future members similar opportunities three months at different locations in Newcastle Gateshead Muslim Society and the Police and The good thing about being and Gateshead. to gain a qualification. was invited to the House of Commons to give a “ presentation about his work. Claire works in involved in the Residents’ Panel is Q. How do you recruit members for the Panel? regeneration and housing and has experience that it allows me to have a say on Anyone who wants to apply for the Panel needs to of setting up community engagement groups. fill in an application form which can be completed Kate works for an organisation which works with some of the key issues that affect online in the Residents’ Panel section of our website *The BNG area architecture and also took part in the Gateshead housing in NewcastleGateshead www.bridgingng.org.uk or you can get a copy of , Kenton, , Byker, , Walker, urban design project. And Tom is a town planner the application form by calling 0191 277 2665 or Elswick, , Scotswood, Benwell, , working in housing, retail and leisure. Dot Carrubbo email [email protected] Dunston, Felling, Teams, Bensham, Saltwell. ”

great great 06 places Summer 2010 www.bridgingng.org.uk places 07 This edition’s... Competition! New Director for BNG

Want to win £100 in vouchers for Sheila Tolley has joined BNG as Sheila, who has also worked in the Metro Centre or Eldon Square? Interim Director. Sheila, who South Africa, said: “I am delighted brings more than 23 years of to be joining BNG and intend to To be in with a chance of winning, all you have to experience in social housing and continue the excellent work which do is answer this question that is based on one of regeneration to the role, replaces Anne has begun. BNG has an the stories in this edition of greatplaces: Anne Mulroy who has joined the excellent reputation and this is an ‘Walking maps’ have been launched Homes & Communities Agency as important time for us as we get Head of Area South in the North ready for new development on to show the hidden gems of which East region. Before joining BNG, some key sites.” neighbourhood? Sheila was an Executive Director at You can send your entries to: Home Group and was also employed as Strategy & Policy [email protected] Director at Elevate (now Or Freepost to: Regenerate Pennine Lancashire). Michelle Playford FREEPOST RLSH-RXJZ-JRSA Bridging NewcastleGateshead 1st Floor, Central Exchange Buildings 128 Grainger St BNG has an excellent “ NE1 5AF reputation and this is an important time for us as we get ready for new development on some key sites All entries must be received by Friday 3rd September 2010. ” Sheila Tolley

If you need help with translation, please call 0191 277 2666.

Want to find out more about Bridging NewcastleGateshead and our work? You can visit our website at www.bridgingng.org.uk If you need a large print or audio You can call us on 0191 277 2666 version of this magazine, please Email: [email protected] call us on 0191 277 2666