Member Article

North East women launch £265m Scotswood redevelopment

Five North East women, who have lived in Scotswood for 291 years collectively, officially started work on the foundations of a long awaited project that will transform their community.

Alma Wheeler, Audrey Bushell, Audrey Kennedy, Margaret Cooney, and Nelly Ternent,* turned the first turf on the £265 million redevelopment program which will create a 1,800 home sustainable neighbourhood over the next 15-20 years.

They were joined by representatives of the public/private partnership driving the initiative – The New Tyne West Development Company (NTWDC) - which comprises Newcastle City Council, Barratt Homes and Keepmoat.

With backing from the Homes and Communities Agency, the plan is to provide mainly family homes with over 60% being three and four-bedroom houses.

The first phase will comprise 377 homes – 319 for sale and 58 for rent or shared ownership through the Fabrick Group. The design provides green links through to the existing neighbourhood and tiered gardens across the sloping 66 hectare site.

As well as high quality, eco-friendly family homes, being supplied with hot water and heating from a neighbourhood energy centre - the project will include community and commercial facilities, parks and public open spaces.

Throughout the building project, New Tyne West Development Company will continue to work with local the local community, schools, training and employment providers, along with business support agencies to increase opportunities for local people and firms.

Already a commitment has been made to employ six apprentices during this first phase of building and workshops have been held to help small local firms bid to be part of the programme.

Local Councillor Hazel Stephenson said: “This is a great day for our local community which will soon see the economic and social benefits which will flow from this exciting development.”

Duncan Bowman, Development Director with NTWDC, said: “I am delighted that, after all the hard work and preparation, we are at a point where house building can begin on this fabulous site. All those concerned deserve great credit for making this happen, not least the local residents who have shown great patience and support when things have taken longer than hoped – as is always the case on major projects such as this. The next few weeks and months will be exciting times for us all as we see a new part of Scotswood take shape.”

Cllr. Nick Forbes, Leader of Newcastle City Council, said: “This is an important milestone in the rebuilding of Scotswood and we are very grateful for the hard work and commitment of the local community in helping us reach this point. In our Local Plan, we have prepared the ground for a successful future with a commitment to creating 14,000 new jobs and building 21,000 new homes for a growing population, with most of those much-needed homes on brownfield sites like Scotswood.”

Eugien Jaruga, Keepmoat’s Partnerships Director, said: “This is a great day for the local community because this will spark economic activity and create employment as well as providing much needed homes in this part of the city.”

Mike Roberts, Managing Director with Barratt Homes in the North East, said: “We are very excited to be on site and look forward to unveiling our show homes and welcoming the first residents to this new part of Scotswood.”

*Alma Wheeler, of Parmontley Street, has lived in Scotswood for 69 years; Audrey Bushell, of Broadmead Way, for 45 years; Audrey Kennedy, formerly of the now demolished part of Armstrong Road, for 38 years; Margaret Cooney, of Heighley Street, for 65 years and Nelly Ternent, of Swinley Gardens, for 74 years. Their homes are all within half a mile of each other.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Paul Dobbie .