Spring 2009 Issue: 13

Bensham and Saltwell Street Reps unveiled

Newcastle: & Scotswood | Elswick | Kenton | | Walker | | Wingrove | Westgate | | | South Heaton : Bridges | | Dunston & Teams | Felling | & | Saltwell & Heworth | & Whitehills | High Fell Homes go on sale from £65k Eight newly converted family homes have gone on sale in James Street, Elswick through a scheme delivered by Home and supported by BNG. The three-bedroom properties, all extensively refurbished, are being offered for shared ownership sale. Four of the homes have had their Street Reps meet for the first time lofts converted, have an en-suite to Bensham & Saltwell Street Reps unveiled the main bedroom and all are fitted to a high specification with items More than 90 people from two-way process. Street Reps are such as sun pipes, energy efficient Bensham and Saltwell have extremely useful because they heating systems and block-paved signed up to become Street can explain to their neighbours The show flat at Riverside Dene patio areas. Representatives - people who how the renewal process is can represent their neighbours progressing and who to contact for Buyers choosing to purchase in discussions with Gateshead help or information - and explain through shared ownership have ‘Riverside Dene’: Council. why Gateshead Council can’t do the option to buy a bigger share in everything overnight! Having Street their property as and when they The ‘Street Reps’, who represent Reps is one way we can ensure can afford to pay more. the new name for Cruddas Park most streets in Bensham and that we can continue to talk - and The new name complements the Saltwell and who come from The properties were unveiled to the Riverside Dene has been listen - to local residents. They are extensive revamp which is taking all walks of life, act as a focus public at a special open day on unveiled as the new an essential part of our housing place and will help to attract new for information about the Saturday 28th March. renewal process.” name for Cruddas Park residents to become part of the redevelopment of the area, and at a special ceremony * Turn to page 7 for an In-Focus on local community. help Gateshead Council to ensure If you’re interested in becoming creating new properties from old. that local peoples’ views are a Street Rep, please contact which took place at the John Lee, Chief Executive of Your presented in its plans for the future. Deborah McKenna, Neighbourhood beginning of April. Homes Newcastle said: “It’s great Management on (0191) 433 2699. Chosen from a shortlist of three by that we are starting to see a real The Street Reps came together difference here. This is for the first time at the end of local residents following a public Street Reps in Quotes vote, the new name was revealed accommodation fit for the future. March at Saltwell Towers for a Osher S Marks of Bensham: when army abseilers unfurled It is radically different.” morning of informal discussions with Gateshead Council. Among "We had a very valuable a giant banner from the top of the The revamp is backed by Unveiling the new name the issues that were discussed opportunity to raise areas that Pines. As part of the launch, Newcastle City Council, BNG, were plans for the improvement concern us personally in our local residents were also given Your Homes Newcastle and New Local resident Hassan Abbas said: of the area, the progress of the neighbourhood. A very the chance to enjoy a guided Deal for Communities, as well as “If anyone wants to come and current demolition programme, constructive exchange of tour of a show flat. private sector partners Gentoo, live here please do – it’s a lovely and how far Street Reps can be views and information about Bellway and Wates Living Space. Speaking at the event, Leader of place, it’s got tonnes of green involved in planning for the future. ongoing projects." Newcastle City Council Councillor “It’s by far the biggest revamp land and the community is really Councillor David Napier, Gateshead Andrew Gray of Bensham: John Shipley said: “I am thrilled we since the blocks were built in the nice here too.” Council Cabinet member "This was a welcome are in a position now where the 1960s – and we want to show that Visit: www.riversidedene.co.uk responsible for Safer Stronger introduction to Street work is on-site to produce the this is a great place to live,” said Communities, said: Representation and to gather outcome everybody wants. This David Slater, Executive Director of “We understand the importance views of local residents. I think demonstrates our public Environment & Regeneration at of staying in touch with what local as the process develops in commitment to revitalising the Newcastle City Council. time these meetings will West End of Newcastle.” people are saying, but it’s important to stress that this is a become even more useful." James Street

2 www.bridgingng.org.uk 3 The events gave homeowners a NewcastleGateshead… chance to express their views on the suggested designs for their properties. Through the scheme, Work In Progress improvements will include new boundary walls, railings, gates and West Newcastle Sixty youngsters, aged 10 and 11, the renewal or refurbishment of spent six weeks learning about the front doors and windows, as well • Youngsters in Benwell have consequences of fly tipping and as planting schemes for front become the eyes and ears of their graffiti, how victims of crime cope, gardens to introduce much-needed neighbourhood after taking part in as well as fire safety. The children greenery to the terraced streets. a junior warden scheme at Canning also took part in a poster The works will be carried out as Street Primary. Riverside North Walker Riverside Weekend of Action competition to create a display part of the wider regeneration of East (RNE) worked with Benwell of the lessons learned about the Once in place the 'play agreement' Bensham and Saltwell area, which Neighbourhood Management community during their warden East Newcastle will be monitored by Places for is seeing substantial investment in Initiative on the scheme aimed at • After the successful week of action training. Winners included Nadia People Homes and the locally based existing properties, new housing, teaching youngsters more about in July last year where over 250 Bibi, Cailin Walton and Rassoul From left to right: Joan Fairley, Sheriff’s Walker Riverside team. environmental improvements and the work of neighbourhood Lady Dorrie Cookson, Sheriff Councillor people undertook practical work to Bubalhavji. For more information contact better services. Contact Anne wardens in a bid to reduce Mike Cookson and Jimnah Inayat - Bhatti improve Walker Riverside Park, the Jane on 0191 275 9207. Lewis on 0191 433 3967. anti-social behaviour in the area. • Following a complete facelift, Ranger Service, Friends of Walker Riverside North East donated Farndale Park is giving Benwell Riverside Park and the Walker £1000 towards the junior Gateshead families a new place to relax, meet Riverside Regeneration and warden scheme as part of its • Gateshead Council is looking for and play. New equipment - Engagement Team, hosted a winter commitment to transform lives a development partner to help including a net pyramid, swings, a Weekend of Action. Over 80 and regenerate neighbourhoods. transform the housing market roundabout and climbing frame, as volunteers from the community, across 70 hectares in the borough. well as picnic tables and benches, students from Walker Technology Below: Canning Street Junior The partner will work with the has been installed into the park - College, Benfield School and various Wardens Kurham Hussain, council over the next 15 to 20 just in time for spring. The new organisations took part in the event. Jordan Walker and Aisha Mihat years to create 3,000 new homes with Neighbourhood Warden park was officially opened by If you would like to help the Friends on 19 sites. The council is now in Don Pearson out on patrol. Sheriff Councillor Mike Cookson, of Walker Park during their monthly discussions with a number of Sheriff’s Lady Dorrie Cookson, clean ups, do not hesitate to contact companies/consortia that it feels local resident Joan Fairley and Walker Riverside Information Centre could be its development partner, Canning Street Primary school on 0191 275 9207 for further Improvements in Bensham and Saltwell and is now working to pick a pupil Jimnah Inayat-Bhatti who information. partner who can best deliver the • Gateshead Council is cracking won a competition to play a key • The Walker Riverside team has exciting vision for Gateshead’s down on Road role in the launch. Jimnah also been working with some adults and future. These companies have landlords who fail to get licences designed the invites for the event 14 young people from River’s Gate, been asked to come up with ideas to rent out their properties. which was attended by residents to produce a 'play agreement' to for how they would transform Sunderland Road is part of the and representatives from encourage both parties to respect specific sites, including the Hyde Selective Licensing Scheme under organisations working in Benwell. each other and enjoy the space Park area, Saltwell Road West and which landlords must obtain a available. The young people have The development of the park was Kelvin Grove area, as part of the licence to rent out a property. The identified what they see as problems undertaken by Newcastle City selection process. scheme was launched in 2007 and and are busy working with a local Council’s Neighbourhood Services means that landlords must make artist Dick Ward, to produce a • More Bensham and Saltwell and has been supported by sure their properties meet certain poster to include cartoon images to residents are set to benefit from funding from a range of partners standards. Two landlords have illustrate their top six tips: improvements to their homes when including BNG. been prosecuted so far for failing phase three of the improvement • Play quietly outside peoples’ to obtain a licence. There are programme begins this spring. homes currently 200 licensed landlords Phase three covers 97 properties in • Ask permission before going into in the Sunderland Road area and the Avenues area, and 198 homes neighbours’ gardens Gateshead Council is processing across the Saltwell Road, Hyde • Respect peoples’ privacy, play a further 30 applications. Park Street and Bensham Avenue away from windows areas. Residents were invited to • Keep your estate tidy two consultation events in the • Tell your parents where you are winter to learn more about the • Be careful not to damage programme of improvements. neighbours’ homes and gardens.

4 www.bridgingng.org.uk 5 Have your say BNG Residents’ Panel Thank you to everyone who took As we told you in the last teamed up with the the time to fill in the survey in the , BNG has been Northumberland Community autumn issue of . setting up a Residents’ Panel to Development Network to run a You said… provide a forum for residents to special Community Development • Over a third of you feel that your have their say on key issues about course. The course, which will also neighbourhood is improving the overall running of BNG. These be studied by staff involved in the opinions, on subjects such as the BNG programme, will give • 31 per cent of you have taken financial packages we offer house participants an insight into topics part in events to help plan buyers or community engagement, such as identifying community improvements in your will then be fed into the BNG needs and community group neighbourhood Board. work skills. • Nearly half of you feel that After an extensive recruitment Whilst there is a full quota of you have been given enough opportunities to have your say process, we have now appointed resident members from most parts Above: New Mills before and after 10 residents to the Panel. The of the BNG Gateshead area, we on plans in your area members, who live across the are still looking for members from • The majority of you find our what’s All the schemes will help to remove BNG area, have a wide array of Felling and Newcastle to join the going on in your area from this eyesore properties prone to anti- experience in areas such as Panel. Candidates must live in the publication as well INFOCUS... social behaviour in the BNG area community engagement, designing BNG area and want to have their as City Life, Council News and creating new homes from old of Gateshead. their neighbourhoods and say on the issues related to the the local press regeneration. The first meeting of running of the partnership. As you will have read earlier in complements the ongoing Anne Mulroy, BNG’s Director • Many of you would like to see the Panel was held at the end of , a scheme has regeneration work at Cruddas Park explained: “In some instances, If you are interested in becoming newsletters specifically covering March when the group agreed their recently been unveiled at James and Loadman Street.” where there is a need for different a Panel member, contact Michelle your area. We have taken on terms of reference – the rules by Street in Elswick which has seen house tenure and it is financially Playford on 0191 277 2665 or board these comments and Similar schemes are also underway which the Panel will operate. The 16 empty flats converted into eight possible, we support schemes [email protected] we will look into improving our in Gateshead. In Macadam Street, next meeting will take place in family homes. This scheme is an which see new homes created for more information. communications activity, such a pair of long term empty Tyneside April, when the Panel will look at example of how run-down from empty properties.” as local newsletters and events. flats are being converted into a the financial packages which BNG properties can, in some cases, be large family home. The works Another example of a successful is developing to help people to Congratulations to Doreen Smith brought back into use to create a include new doors and windows, scheme which has created new buy new homes on key sites. of Gateshead whose name was new type of home that helps to boundary treatments and homes from old is a development Below: The BNG Residents’ Panel picked out of a hat to win £100 meet local needs. To give the Panel members replacement of rainwater goods. at New Mills which saw nine family in shopping vouchers. further skills to help The James Street homes have Internally the layout will be altered homes converted from unpopular them discuss topics been given a complete overhaul to reflect the change to a family flats. The properties proved so and issues, BNG has from long-term empty flats into home. In Maxwell Street, a three popular they were snapped up large, flexible family homes. The bed house, which has been empty by eager buyers within weeks work, which took place over a for a long time in a street which of going on sale. period of nine months, has seen has undergone previous “We work to improve housing the properties fitted with large improvement work, is being given quality and choice for residents kitchen-diners, double bedrooms a complete facelift. Internally works in the BNG area, and converting and en-suite bathrooms and a will include a full rewire, new properties into new homes is just range of energy-efficient features. heating system, additional one way in which we successfully The scheme is a partnership bathroom facilities, new kitchen, achieve this,” commented between Home and BNG, and the and internal insulation to ensure a Anne Mulroy. houses are now available for sale. high standard of thermal comfort with reduced energy bills. And in John Sparkes, Head of Durham Road, a long term empty Development with BNG, explained: four bed house is also being “Together with Home, we decided brought back into use. This to convert these flats into family property is an ideal large family homes as they had been sitting home and will fit well into an empty for a long while, and there area that has seen substantial was little demand for one and two investment by BNG in partnership bedroom flats in the area. In with Gateshead Council. addition, the James Street scheme Above: Interior of James Street

6 www.bridgingng.org.uk 7 Win! Win! Win! Want to win £100 in vouchers for the Metro Centre or Eldon Square? To be in with a chance of winning, all you have to do is answer this question that is based on one of the stories in this edition of

What is the new name for Cruddas Park? You can send your entries to: [email protected] or Freepost to: Michelle Playford FREEPOST RLSH-RXJZ-JRSA Bridging NewcastleGateshead 1st Floor Central Exchange Buildings 128 Grainger Street NE1 5AF All entries must be received by Fri 5th June 2009. Get in touch Want to find out more about Bridging NewcastleGateshead and our work? You can visit our website at www.bridgingng.org.uk Alternatively you can call us on: 0191 277 2666 or email: [email protected]

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