Autumn 2008 Issue: 11 Neighbourhood improvements in Bensham and Saltwell Newcastle: Benwell & Scotswood | Elswick | Kenton | Byker | Walker | Walkergate | Fenham Wingrove | Westgate | Blakelaw | Fawdon | South Heaton Gateshead: Bridges | Deckham | Dunston & Teams | Felling | Lobley Hill & Bensham | Saltwell Pelaw & Heworth | Windy Nook & Whitehills | High Fell Bensham and Saltwell residents Homes prove a hit with buyers sign up for property improvements Nine refurbished homes in New Mills have been snapped up by buyers The improvement programme “I took part in the work because it is is seeing substantial new within weeks of going on sale. in Bensham and Saltwell has a good, long-term offer. The whole investment in existing properties, The houses, converted from proven to be a hit with residents area is definitely looking a lot better.” new housing, environmental unpopular flats, offer three good-size and Gateshead Council has improvements and better services. The second phase of work will be bedrooms, a large-living area and a agreed to extended the carried out to homes in Watt Street, Councillor David Napier, Cabinet private garden. All of the properties programme - with around 50 Telford Street, Hedley Street, spokesman for Housing, says: have been given extensive local households already signing Newton Street, two blocks in "Local residents played a crucial improvements both internally up to benefit from the latest Saltwell Road and one block in part in devising a Neighbourhood and externally. phase of work. Whitehall Road. In addition, planning Plan for Bensham and Saltwell, The homes attracted a lot of interest permission has been given for and this identified a large number due to their affordable price, high similar improvements to a further of fairly simple improvements we quality work and good location close 129 homes in Westbourne Avenue could make to radically improve to the city centre. As a result, all nine and Windsor Avenue which will once the area. houses were sold within seven again reflect a pre-Second World "The planning permission which weeks of being put up for sale. War street scene. has been granted is another major Mrs Hobson has signed up to step in our six-year project to make benefit from the improvement those improvements. scheme. She relocated to Telford "The work will not only improve the Street a short while ago from Improvements on Saltwell Road appearance of these homes, it will Trevethick Street. She commented: The improvements, which include improve the appearance of the “I think the improvements are a new boundary walls, metal railings whole street and, we hope, will put really good idea and the end product and gates - reflecting the original a bit of pride back into the area. will make the whole area look better. Joyce and Margaret, local Walker Residents, taking part in the Week of Action features removed at the start of the That's good news for everyone." I can't wait to see the finished work. Second World War - follow on from I feel more confident about the Refurbished homes at New Mills previous refurbishment work in area and I'm planning on Week of Action Bensham and Saltwell. Properties Councillor Bill Shepherd, Newcastle staying here for many years will also have improvements to City Council's Portfolio Holder for to come.” their existing windows and doors, transforms Walker Regeneration and Housing said: including the restoration of stone The improvements are Over 250 people including local carried out was stunning, a “This scheme proved to be a great mullions to some properties, as being carried out as part school children, residents, testimony to the effort everyone success because it offered local well as repairs to paths and steps. of the wider regeneration Newcastle City Council, Places had put in. Personally I would like people the chance to buy affordable of the Bensham and homes in a popular area.” Mike Ridley-Smith who owns a for People, Bridging to thank everyone for a fantastic Saltwell area which private rented property on Maxwell NewcastleGateshead, Your Homes week. I think that this is a great The work has been funded by BNG, Street and has taken part in the Newcastle, Groundwork, East End opportunity to use this week Your Homes Newcastle and Single improvements said: “I think that Alliance and other Partners, took as a platform for better things Housing Investment Pot (SHIP) the work so far has been fantastic. park in the 'Week of Action' and for the park. funding. Consultation was carried worked alongside a grounds “It would be great if this work out with local residents prior to the maintenance workforce, to Right: Mrs Hobson outside her home in could be continued and not let work taking place. Telford Street improve Walker's Riverside Park. this week be a one off.” Further Stuart Bagnall from Your Homes Front cover: Mike Ridley-Smith outside The volunteers carried out an to the 'Week of Action' a Friends Newcastle said: “We are delighted his property which has benefited from enormous amount of work, of Riverside Park Group has with this scheme, which has enabled the improvement scheme completing almost a year's worth been set up to continue the us to provide much needed of tasks in one week. Steve good work. affordable housing. The properties Williams, local resident said: If you would like to assist the have been completed to a very high “Specific areas were concentrated group in their work, do not standard and by converting on each day to have maximum hesitate to contact the Walker unpopular flats and bringing them impact and I must say that at Riverside Information Centre back into use as family houses, the the end of each day the visual on 0191 275 9207 for further whole area has been improved.” effect of the work that had been information. 2 3 into BNMI, 80 Ellesmere Road, Benwell to collect you nomination form.You can nominate more than one person. The closing date for the awards is Friday 31st October. For further information please contact Kirsty on 0191 277 1470, or email [email protected] The Scotswood Neighbourhood Centre and the Muungano Community Association East Newcastle received Queen’s Awards for Voluntary Service • Do you know an individual or a exciting plans for the area, like the West Newcastle group who lives or works in Scotswood Expo, interviews by local Walker, who has gone that extra • Two groups of volunteers in residents and music shows. Bev mile to make Walker a great place Scotswood and Benwell have been Ogle, Community Development to live? Do you know a business or recognised with Queen's Awards Officer for Scotswood commented: organisation in Walker, who has for Voluntary Service. Audrey “We wanted to give local residents supported the local community? If Kennedy, Audrey Bushell, Nellie the chance to tell listeners all about so, this is your opportunity to show Ternent and Gwen Hind received their community, and the exciting your appreciation by nominating their award in recognition of their plans for the future. Excelsior them in this year's Pride, Passion, work in running the Scotswood Academy pupils Thomas Dalglish Potential awards. Nomination cards Neighbourhood Centre. The drop-in and Joshua Lake designed the will be distributed within the Walker Learning how a house works at Sunderland Road centre provides a range of services station's logo. The broadcast was Eye and are available from the including advice on welfare and funded by BNG and overseen by Information Centre on Walker benefits, a freephone to the community radio station NE1FM and Road. You could also complete the Jobcentre and a credit union. the Newcastle City Council's NewcastleGateshead… nomination card on line by Meanwhile, the Benwell-based Scotswood Regeneration team. Newcastle Muungano Community accessing the Walker Riverside Work In Progress Association also received the • Residents in Benwell are set to be website: www.walker- Queen's Award in recognition of its recognised for their achievements riverside.co.uk. The closing date within their communities with the landlords have been given licences efforts to promote the needs of for nominations is the 7th Gateshead announcement of the 2008 Benwell and Gateshead Council's Private Newcastle's African community. The November 2008. • McInerney Homes gave local Community Awards. The awards Rented Sector team continues to group was set up four years ago and • The Walker Riverside youngsters an opportunity to see will give local residents the chance work with another 40 landlords. provides general advice, translation Community Engagement team the brand new homes being built at to nominate their friends and Since the implementation of and referrals to agencies, amongst has begun working with local Bishops Park, off Sunderland neighbours who have made a Selective Licensing, there has been other services. young people on the development Road, showing them 'how a house difference in their community. The a big increase in membership of of the first Walker 'Teen Eye' The works'. 19 five year old children • Residents in Scotswood took to winners for each category will be the Gateshead Private Landlords newsletter has been developed from Bede School in Gateshead the airwaves when Scotswood presented with an award at the Association, which now has over following feedback from young visited the development to help Regeneration Radio broadcast live Benwell Neighbourhood 400 members. For further people who stated that they them with their project entitled 'My from the Excelsior Academy at the Management Initiative (BNMI) annual information please contact Mandy wanted their own local publication. Home, My Street'. The children end of September. The broadcast Christmas party. Please fill in the Reed on 0191 433 2956. The Teen Eye will provide an learnt about the different stages of included news on the nomination form online at update on what's happening in building a home, as well as how to • There was a great response to www.ourbenwell.org.uk or call Walker, from a young person's make a house 'greener' with Gateshead's photography point of view.