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Home , Benwell, Byker, Deckham, Fenham, Newcastle Great Park, North Kenton

Winter 2008 Issue: 08

Newcastle: & Scotswood | Elswick | Kenton | | Walker | | Wingrove | Westgate | | | : Bridges | | Dunston & Teams | Felling | Lobley Hill & | Saltwell & Heworth | & Whitehills | High Fell Gateshead Residents Designing their Neighbourhood Gateshead residents have been getting involved in the design of their neighbourhood by taking part in a tour of new housing in the region to decide whether those designs would be worth considering for their area. As part of the regeneration of Bensham, Felling and Teams, Gateshead Council is giving local people the opportunity to help design new family homes and The Benwell Neighbourhood Management Team improve their neighbourhood. The council is working with Planning Benwell Scheme Relaunched Aid North to give a group of around Benwell Neighbourhood "What is important about the 50 local people a course in urban Management Initiative held an project is that it is being led and design to allow them to identify what open day in November to delivered by those working and makes a great place to live. celebrate its area of work being living in Benwell, by those who extended to include High Cross. know the area best." Bridging NewcastleGateshead is also Dame Mavis Grant, Headteacher supporting the training. The bus tour The Initiative has also welcomed at Canning , and visited housing developments at a new Assistant Neighbourhood two pupils from the school , Grove Park Manager who will be working officially relaunched the Initiative in , Walker, Westoe Colliery alongside Carolyn. Kirsty Sell at the open day, which was also in and Highgate in previously worked as a attended by local residents, the Durham so residents could look Community Engagement Officer neighbourhood wardens, the around and examine new housing at Easington Neighbourhood police and the city council. to see good urban design. Management Initiative and has Marking the new beginning for the a great deal of experience of Councillor David Napier, Cabinet Initiative, Carolyn Wood, community involvement. spokesman for Safer, Stronger Award winners with members of the Walker Riverside team Neighbourhood Manager said Communities, says: “We have made To find out more about what's "This is the start of a new period it clear from the start that we felt it going on in Benwell, drop into in Benwell's history. We felt it was important for local people to feel the Initiative's office at And the winner is…. was only right that the project involved in decisions taken about their 80 Ellesmere Road or you was extended to the rest of the area. Recruiting local people to actually The first-ever Walker 'Oscars' were sisters, together as he often takes Community Engagement Manager can call 277 1478. Benwell area so we can work help design their own neighbourhood handed out at a special ceremony on a fatherly role. Jackie Jones said: with the wider community, is the obvious extension to this.” on-board a cruise on Grandparent Rena Carpena, who “It was a wonderful event and so helping to bring a range of Gateshead residents find out more Friday December 7. helps out with outings at West good at last to be able to services to more residents. about designing neighbourhoods The winners of the Walker Walker Primary School, took the recognise the good work of so Riverside Pride, Passion, Potential ‘Passion’ award with Sister many people. They all contribute Awards, aimed at rewarding those Josepha and Sheila Sanderson to help make Walker a wonderful people who have gone that extra taking the ‘Pride’ award for their community.” mile to make Walker such a great nationally recognised work with the The event was supported by place to live, ranged from Images for Change project. Bridging NewcastleGateshead youngsters to pensioners. The Grand Prix gong was jointly- and Shepherd Offshore. Jonathon Kennedy, aged 12, shared by youngsters from the described as a 'bundle of sunshine' Helpful Kids group at the Thomas Front Cover: Jonathan Kennedy by his teachers at Walker Gaughan centre and the Walker with his award. Technology College, picked up the Wanderers. The Helpful Kids have 'Potential' award. His father died organised 'Womble' litter-picking when he was young and he keeps days and the Wanderers set-up the family, his mother and two summer events for schoolchildren.

2 3 North Newcastle • The Private Rented Sector Team flower-filled hanging basket has moved from Millennium House completely free-of-charge in a NewcastleGateshead… • At recent consultation events to the Gateshead Civic Centre. The project aimed at encouraging civic held in Blakelaw, Cowgate, team can be contacted on pride. More than 50 residents have Kenton Bar and 0191 433 2893. The team continues said 'yes please' to the hanging Work In Progress four lucky residents won £25 in to offer the same range of services baskets, which workers from Eldon Square vouchers whilst two and can also be contacted by email Gateshead Council's Local people each won a 26” flat screen privatesectorhousingcivic@gateshead Environmental Services are now East Newcastle television. The consultation events .gov.uk, with further information beginning to fit outside of their • On Thursday 29th November, were held to find out what people available online at: homes. The baskets, which contain two special 'Riverside Round-Up' thought about where they lived as www.renting-in-gateshead.co.uk brightly coloured winter pansies, sessions were held at the Lightfoot well as any ideas they had about will be re-filled in the spring with • The launch of Selective Licensing Centre. The sessions were open what they wanted to see in their summer-blooming flowers to in an area near Road to residents and staff and looked area. If you have any questions or maintain Sunderland Road's has taken place. Councillor Mole back at what has happened so would like to discuss this further bright and attractive appearance chaired the event and speakers far in Walker Riverside, as well telephone Julie Bhabra on throughout the year. as looking forward to the next 0191 211 5640 or send an e-mail included David Clelland MP and six months. Residents then to [email protected]. Alex Rhind from the Respect • Relocations are continuing had the opportunity to find out Programme. The event was well from Macadam Street with local what was happening in their attended by landlords, tenants, residents receiving full support own specific areas, such as the Gateshead neighbouring authorities and key from Gateshead Council's Gateshead officials including the Neighbourhood Management team Heart of Walker, Cambrian, • Work to improve the appearance Improvements to Scotswood Village are nearly complete Chief Executive and Leader of throughout the process. Susan and Western Gateway, Dovercourt, of The Avenues area in Bensham the Council. If you require further Paul Thompson, tenants of Home Pottery Bank and River's Gate. properties in the Bishop's Road area an inspector to carry out an and Saltwell is well underway. Amongst the topics for discussion of Benwell are also well underway examination of the document. information on Selective Licensing Group, have relocated from their were the first draft of the definitive and should be completed by After the examination, the plan you can contact Rachel Crosby property on Macadam Street. designs and proposals for the February 2008. The Facelift Plus will be fully adopted by the Council on 0191 433 2793. The Thompsons, who have two daughters, welcomed the new Heart of Walker. Neighbourhood Improvement in January 2009 as part of its' plans • A row of terraced homes in Scheme has received great support to develop Newcastle into a thriving opportunity to move into a house • Seven new homes on Saffron Gateshead will be enjoying a splash from residents with Eric Carr, place to live. more suitable to their needs with Court - the former Baths site - of winter colour. Homes along part Chairperson of Bishop's Road the added benefit of a garden. are now complete. The first four • Information sessions were held of Sunderland Road in Gateshead - Residents Group commenting: Susan Thompson said: “We are homes, all bungalows, have been at Cruddas Park in November, many of which have received major “I think neighbourhood renewal is very pleased with our new home - offered to Walker residents. The giving local residents the chance facelifts under the BNG programme an excellent idea and shows what it's 'Thompson Palace'! It's lovely three houses are being offered for to find out more about the plans - are now being offered their own can be achieved by residents having a garden where our children shared equity through NomadE5. for the area. Residents attending and tenants working in partnership can play out.” the sessions gave a warm welcome • Work is continuing on the with the council.” to the plans. Work is moving Cambrian estate with building • The Regeneration of Scotswood forward on proposals for the taking place on 12 homes for is taking another step forward with £100million renewal of the tower rent and 15 homes for sale. The work starting on the closure of blocks and surrounding area and homes will be ready in spring 2008. The Avenues unused roads. The streets and the Council's Executive is set to • At the Oval, a section of disused footpaths due to be closed are in consider the plans. If the plans are The improvements are now being land is set to be turned into a car areas which will be transformed approved by the Council, work will carried out and include door or park and green space. Work will as part of the Scotswood Expo. begin in mid-2008. window repair or replacement, begin shortly on this site and They will no longer be rights of stone painting, new boundary follows on from the improvements way and the street lights will be treatments and planting to front to homes in the Oval which were removed. Consultation with local gardens. Homeowners are completed last year. residents is ongoing. contributing twenty per cent toward the cost of the works, with • After extensive community the remainder being funded by consultation in 2006/07, the updated West Newcastle BNG and the Council. Privately version of the Benwell Scotswood rented properties are also seeing • Facelift treatment to improve Area Action Plan is going to the additional improvements, with the appearance of 132 properties Council for their consideration. The landlords taking part in the Block in Scotswood Village is nearly plan, if agreed, will then be sent to Improvement Scheme. complete. Improvements to 98 the Government who will appoint Proposed renewal of Cruddas Park

Environmental Health Officer Rachel Crosby with local landlord Tony Gladstone outside 4 his accredited property 5 INFOCUS... Meet the the Newcastle Private Rented Project radio team Thank you to everyone who got in In 2007, the Newcastle Private crime and anti-social touch with us following our advert Rented Project celebrated its ten The expansion of the Project for radio presenters. Following a year anniversary, and it has been behaviour and improve has led to more success for selection process, 12 residents a decade of success, supporting the team. For example: the overall image of the have now been chosen to be private renters and landlords in area in which we work. • In 1997, Arthur's Hill had 39 involved in our radio show Great Newcastle. The Project opened boarded-up properties. Now Places. A number of the new its doors for the first time in “Originally, we were just there are just a handful of presenters came along to a training September 1997, with a team of empty properties and they are course in December where they just three working solely in Arthur's based in Arthur's Hill but only empty for a short time paid a visit to the radio station and Hill. Today, the Project has a team in 2003, we rolled out before being repaired or sold. found out more about BNG and the of nine and operates across our work across the stories that they will be covering on the whole of Newcastle. • In the Project's first month, the radio show. Claire McMullen is Manager of Inner West and then in 63 people used the project. Now, there is an average The picture (right) shows, from left the team and has been with 2006, with BNG's help, The radio team take part in training the Project since 2000: of 350 people a month using to right: we expanded further, the Project going city-wide.” Verity Sloane of Byker; Ronald Vincentini of Bensham; The other presenters not “The Private Rented • The Project now has pictured are John Hardy, Tony Andrew Sloan, Area Programme Colin Jenks of Fenham who does Project was set up to For further information about the 300 enquiries a month from James, Kim Walker, Brett Gray, Coordinator, BNG; voluntary work with the West End Newcastle Private Rented Project, people looking for properties Claire Ashton and Craig improve standards in the Refugee Service and West End contact: 0191 273 6103 in Newcastle. Olive Newbrook, a volunteer tour Thompson. Health Resource Centre; private rented sector, or email: guide of Felling; Listen out for our show on [email protected] Sylvia Bell of Benwell; reduce the number of Lynsey Morgan of Bensham who ne1fm 102.5 FM. The next show empty homes, reduce is a sixth form student and a Lance Michelle Playford, will broadcast in early 2008. Corporal in the Army cadets; Communications Officer, BNG.

Have your say: locally had improved. 61% of residents in East Newcastle and 46% of residents in Gateshead Results felt that on the whole their Many thanks to everyone who took neighbourhood is improving. Very the time to respond to the survey few people felt that their area is that featured in the autumn 2007 getting worse, with the majority edition of Great Places. of respondents living in West and North Newcastle feeling that their The survey showed that residents neighbourhoods were either better living in places where BNG has or about the same as before. been working with partners to deliver new housing developments A lot of land has now been pulled are the most likely to feel that the together and you will start to see choice of housing available in their a lot more new homes being built neighbourhood, and the quality in the pathfinder area over the next see the positive of their neighbourhood overall, three years. change housing market renewal can bring. Next time we carry is improving. Karen Anderson, BNG's Head of out this survey we hope that Research and Strategy explains, Although we are only four years more of you will feel that your "It is our goal that building new into a 15 year programme, more neighbourhood and choice of houses and improving existing than half of residents in East housing are improving because homes, such as in Bensham and Newcastle and Gateshead felt that of all the progress we are making." the choice and type of housing Arthur's Hill, will help residents to

6 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 Great Places: In what month and year did the Newcastle Private Rented Project open its doors for the first time? You can send your entries to: [email protected] Or Get in touch Freepost to: Want to find out more about Michelle Playford Bridging NewcastleGateshead FREEPOST RLSH-RXJZ-JRSA and our work? Bridging NewcastleGateshead You can visit our website at 1st Floor www.bridgingng.org.uk Central Exchange Buildings 128 Grainger St Alternatively you can call us on: 0191 277 2666 NE1 5AF or email [email protected] All entries must be received by Friday 7th March 2007.

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