Plans revealed for new autism-friendly housing development in Gateshead

A North East regeneration partnership has revealed plans for more than forty new homes in the region.

Gateshead Regeneration Partnership, which sees Vistry plc, Gateshead Council and Home group team up, has proposed a 44-home development at Whitley Court in Wrekenton.

Whitley Court, which is a former supported housing site, will see a mixture of houses and bungalows being built if the plans are approved, as well as twelve apartments.

The apartments have been designed to provide supported living spaces for people with autism.

The plans, which have been submitted to Gateshead Council, are set to be decided on next month (December 2020).

The partnership’s planning statement said: “The supported accommodation has been carefully designed to be autism friendly and whilst being enclosed to the rear for a sense of security, the buildings themselves turn into the estate to integrate with the wider area.

“The apartments are very much designed to avoid an ‘institutional’ feel and give occupiers their own individual home with support at hand should it be required.”